
Class 
Book 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



\ 




( 




a*/' »^^2r 



RECOLLECTIONS 



OF 



GENERAL LAFAYETTE 



ON HIS 

• 



VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES, 

IN 1S24 AND 1825 ; 



WITH THE 



MOST IIEMARKABLE INCIDENTS OF HIS LIFE, 

FROM HIS lUUTII TO THE DAY OF HIS DEATH. 

By a. .a. PAEKEK, Esq., 

AUTHOR OF "rnrr to the west and texas;" "poems at 

FOUliSCOKE," .tC. 



"Though lost to sight, to memory dear.' 



KEENE, N. H. : " 
SENTINEL PRINTING COMPANY, BOOK AND JOP. PRINTERS. 

18 79. 



27 



RECOLLECTIONS 



OF 



GENERAL LAFAYETTE 

ON HIS 

VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES, 

IN 1824 AND 1825 ; 

WITH THE 

MOST REMARKABLE INCIDENTS OF HIS LIFE, 

FROM HIS BIRTH TO THE DAY OF HIS DEATH. 

By a. a. PAEIvER, Esq., 

AUTHOR OF "TRIP TO THE WEST AND TEXAS;" "POEMS AT 
FOURSCORE," &C. 



^'^ Though lost to sight, to memory dear." 



\ Oy^ 18T9. 



Or .;, .{•■ 



KEENE, N. H. : 

SENTINEL PRINTING COMPANY, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 

1879. 



u- 



"'->'^ 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1S79, by 

A. A. PARKER, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



My Recollections of General Lafayette's visit to this 
country in 1824 and '25, were narrated in the State House 
at Concord, N. H., at the request of the Historical So- 
ciety. It was merely an extemporary affair, as I had 
nothing then written before me. I was requested to write 
out, at my leisure, my Recollections for publication, with 
such emendations and additions as the subject seemed to 
require. This, I have done ; and the result will be found 
in the following pages. I have corresponded extensively 
and searched records, so as to give a connected Sketch of 
his eventful life, from his birth to the day of his death. 

My object has been to snatch from oblivion and garner 
up the most remarkable events in the life of a most 
remarkable man, so that the present generation may be 
well informed of the true character of one of our most 
patriotic Major Generals in the American Revolution. 
Much interesting matter is here presented, never before 
published ; a large portion of which was obtained from 
the General himself. On his visit here, it was my good 
fortune to become acquainted with him, and learn from 
his own lips, his opinion of men and things, and many 
remarkable incidents in his life. I was then, as now, a 
great admirer of his character ; for I deem him to have 



4 

been one of the most brave, active and faultless men, of 
whom we have any account in ancient or modern history. 

The preparation of this Sketch, has been a labor of 
love ; and while I have entered into the spirit of the times, 
I have endeavored to be entirely correct ; and believe its 
integrity cannot successfully be impeached ; but that in all 
its essential particulars, it will stand the test of talents 
and of time. 

In this Sketch, I have uniformly applied the title of 
General, to Lafayette, as he publicly renounced that of 
Marquis, at the time of the French revolution. 



In the Frontispiece will be found a steel engraving of 
General Lafayette. It was taken from a portrait painting 
of him in 1824, at the age of 67. It is a most perfect 
likeness. At the bottom is his autograph. 



CONTENTS. 



General Lafayette's First Visit to America, accom- 
panied by Baron DeKalb, . . . .10 
Arrives at Philadelphia, and appointed Maj. -General, 11 
Returns to France, and Second Visit, . . .12 

Lafayette's Third Visit, 13 

Receptions at New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, 

and Mount Vernon, . • . . .14 

Reception at Boston ; takes leave of Congress, . 15 

/ His Fourth and Last Visit, . . . ' . .16 

'^ Reception at New York City, . . . .18 

Reception at Boston, . . . . . .20 

Reception at Portsmouth, N. H., . . . .27 

Returns to Boston and to New York City ; great 
display there, . . . . . . .29 

Goes up the Hudson River and Returns, . .32 

Visits Washington City, . . . . .32 

Visits Mount Vernon, Yorktown, Richmond, Mon- 
ticello, &c., ....... 33 

Returns to Washington City and visits the Senate 
and House of Representatives, . . . .34 

Congress grants him $200,000 in money, and a 
township of land, . . . . . .35 

Visits the Southern and Western States, . . 35 

Lays the corner stone of Bunker Hill Monument, . 36 
Visits Concord, N. H. ; incidents of the route, . 47 

Visits Portland, in Maine, ..... 50 

Returns to Concord and leaves for Ncav York and 
Washington City, and takes passage in the ship 
Brandy wine, . . . . . . .53 



Relleotions on his visits, 

Conversations with Gen. Lafayette, 

The treason of Gen. Arnold ; Maj. Andre, 

Gen. Arnold's wife. .... 

The French Revolution ; General Lafayette leaves 

France and is imprisoned. 
Escapes from his dungeon at Olmutz : is retaken and 

again imprisoned. 
Dr. BoUman and Col. Huger, 
Blannerhassett and Col. Burr. 
Gen. Lafayette's wife and two daughters visit him in 

prison, ....... 

Released by Bonaparte, and retires to Holstein, 

Denmark, ...... 

Returns to Lagi'ange, in France : Death of Madame 

Lafayette, .... 

— Gen. Lafayette's birth and childhood. 
Death of his mother, and his marriage, 
Description of his person. 
His death, .... 

^^ His benevolence ; bought an estate and liberated the 

slaves. 
Presents made to Lafayette, 
His liberality. 
His bravery and firnmess. 
Description of Lagrange, 
George Washington Lafayette, 
Gen. Lafayette's daughters. 
Proposed monument in memory of Lafayette, 
Public and private buildings in Concord, 
Address to the youths of America, 
Reception at Hudson, 
Mrs. Willard's sch«»ol at Troy, N. Y.. . 
Reception at tlie Livingstons', 
Reception at Newark, X. .T., 



Reception at Philadelphia, 

Reception at Baltimore, 

Address of Speaker Clay, 

Gen. Lafayette's reply, . . . 

Farewell address of President J. Q. Adams, 

Gen. Lafayette's reply. 

The closing scene, .... 

" Ladies' Mount Vernon Association" purchase the 
home of Washington with 200 acres of land for 
1200,000, 

Edward Everett's lecture on AVashington, 

Major Andre ; sketch of his life, . 

His execution, ..... 

Cyrus W. Field erects a shaft at the spot where 
Andre was buried, .... 

Epitaph on the shaft, .... 

Captain Nathan Hale, .... 

Taken as a spy and executed. 

Reflections on war, .... 



112 
116 
119 
121 
123 
127 
129 



133 
133 

134 
142 

143 
144 
146 
147 

148 



RECO 



"-inm 
jjuL 



IONS OF GEN. LAFAYETTE, 

AND SKETCH OF HIS LIFE. 



The great English poet asks, What's in a Name? I 
answer, Much. Names are often, not only music to the 
ear, but expressive of power, and suggestive of noble men 
and glorious deeds. And Avhen I announce Lafayette, 
as the theme of my discourse, is it not suggestive of a 
kStatesman, Patriot and Warrior, who most nobly wielded 
his sword and pen, and gave of his substance liberally, in 
the cause of human rights, and bravely fought the battles 
of our Revolution ? 

Permit me then, standing on the verge of time, be- 
tween the living and the dead, to call your attention to 
one of the most exciting scenes in the annals of our his- 
tory since the days of our revolution. In 1824, more 
than half a century ago, The Marquis Gilbert Mo- 
TiKii DE Lafayette, for the Fourth Time, visited the 
United States. His arrival was hailed with universal joy 
throughout the land ; and lie passed through the twenty- 
four States of the Union, in a roimd of civic and martial 
triumphs, unequalled in magnificence and splendor. Dur- 
ing that visit, it was my good fortune to become acquainted 
with him, and to witness some of the most splendid dis- 
plays on that occasion ; and 1 propose now to relate my 
recollections of what I saw and heard, in the order of 



10 

€vents, ratlior tlum in the onler I obtained knowledge of 
them. If the narration shoidd l)e deemed too mneh bor- 
dering on the sentimental, and withal, too egotit^tical, I 
cannot avoid it, without mystifying events and perverting 
faets. Enthiusiastie I must be, for my subject demands 
it. But in the first ])lace. allusion to his former visits 
may be interesting and proper as introductory to the last. 

The Firxt Time (len. Lafayette visited this country was 
in 1777, about a year after the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. When his intention of aiding the (^olonics in their 
struggle for independence w'as suspected, or, to some ex- 
tent known, it caused a great sensation both in England 
and Finance . The British Minister at Paris so warndy 
protested against it that the King of Fran(;e was induced 
to issue an order for his arrest ; l)ut he had the sagacity ( 
to elude all pursuit, ordered his vessel to an obscure port 
in Spain, where he embarked, and from thence sailed for 
the American coast. 

When ho fitted out his own ship, freighted with arms 
and nuuiitions of war, it was the most gloomy time in the 
revolutionary war. The British armies were everywhere 
triumphant, so nuich so, that even the firnmess of Gen. 
Washington wsis shaken. Lafayette's friends urged him 
to desist from such a hopeless undertaking, but he gal- 
lantly replied that it was the very time his aid was most 
needed. 

After a devious and tedious voyage of mofre than tw(» 
months, for he had to avoid the numerous liritish cruisers 
on. the American coast, on the 14th of .June, 1777, he 
landed at Winyau Bay, on the South Carolina coast, (K) 
miles Northeast of Charleston. lit' was accom})anied 
by his frii'ud, the Baron de Kall», a (ierman officer of 
rank ; and when their l)oat touched the shore at midnight, 
they both pledged themselves before high IleaAcn, to win 
In(le[)endence or perish in the attempt. And they most 



11 

nobly redeemed their pledge ; for tliey both most bravely 
fought the l)attles of the Revolution. Gen. Lafayette 
passed through all the severe conflicts Avith only a flesh 
wound, but the Baron was less fortunate, for, after three 
years of hard fighting, he was killed at the battle of Cam- 
den, in North Carolina, August 16, 1780, and Avas taken 
from the field with eleven wounds on his body. 

Tliey were, at first, very hospitably entertained at the 
mansion house of ]Maj. Benjamin Huger, and then pro- 
ceeded to Charleston. They procured a carriage and 
started for Philadelphia together. Their route lay through 
the principal towns, yet the roads were so bad that the 
carriage soon became a wreck, and they finished their 
journey on horseback. 

General Lafayette's arrival, at that critical moment, 
caused no ordinary sensation throughout the country. It 
was hailed as a happy omen, and gave a new impulse to 
the revolutionary struggle. 

Although he was then a mere youth, hardly twenty 
years of age ; yet, so active and })atriotic Avas lie, that 
Congress, on the 31st of July, 1777, appointed him a 
Major-General in the Continental Army. As there was 
no vacancy at the time, no particular conunand could be 
assigned him ; but he was invited to the headquarters of 
Gen. Washington, and became an inmate of his family, 
and acted as his aid, companion and friend during the 
war, when not assigned to a se})arate command. 

On the 11th of Se])teml)er, less than a month sind a 
half after his appointment, Avas fought the battle of 
Brandy wine ; and then, his shrewdness, activity and 
bravery fully justified his appointment ; for it was readily 
perceived tliat he had, in an eminent degree, the three es- 
sential attributes of a successful warrior ; for he was quick 
to })erceive, sagacious to plan, and prompt to execute. 
In that battle he Avas Avounded, and had to be confined for 



1-^ 

a time in a hospital ; hut it was tlic only time lie was dis- 
abled from active duty during- the perils of the Revolution. 

On the 11th day of February, 17711, he returned to 
France to obtain men, money and nnmitions of war. Beino- 
successful in that, he returned here a Second Time., on the 
27th of April, 1780, and rendered very efficient aid in 
many battles and skirmishes, until the surrender of Lord 
Cornwallis, at Yorktown, on the 19th of October, 1781. 

Deeming the back of British power in America broken, 
and that a bold dash would finish it, on the 2 2d of De- 
cember, 1781, he again returned to France for an army 
of men and ships of war. lie induced the King of Spain 
as well as of France, to second his wishes ; and, in time, 
had obtained (50 ships of war and enlisted 24,000 men, 
which began to assemble at Cadiz, destined to crush Brit- 
ish power in America as well as in the West Indies. 

Then the King of England and his ministers took the 
alarm, began to realize their danger, and acknowledged 
our independence and concluded a j)eace. On the 20th 
day of January, 1783, the treaty of peace was finally 
concluded and signed at Paris. 

General Lafayette was then at Cadiz, [)reparing to sail 
for America and bring the joyful news of peace ; but 
finding some diplomatic difficulties in Spain which he was 
requested to adjust, and seeing the need of a connnercial 
treaty between the United States and France, in which he 
believed his services were needed, he deemed it his duty 
to remain. But he ])rocured a fast sailing ship of war, 
called the Triumph, (an aj)j>ro[)riate name for the occa- 
sion,) and sQpt the despatches, with a letter to Congress 
and to (xcneral AVashington, bearing the jovful tidings of 
peace. The Triumph arrived at Philadel[>hia on the 'r.\([ 
day of Marcli, 1783, and gave to Congress and the Nation 
the first news of peace. 

Congress j)assed strong rest)lutions in commendation oi' 



13 

the great services of General Lafayette ; and Washing- 
ton, in a letter to him, said: "To this cause, (alluding 
to the armament of Lafayette), I am persuaded the peace 
is to be ascribed." 

Althougli Gen. Lafayette was earnestly and most cor- 
dially invited to visit this country, by Congress and Gen. 
Washington, he forebore the pleasure until he had settled 
other matters of more pressing importance. He went to 
Spain and settled the difficulties there, and then returned 
to Paris, and was the leading spirit in forming a commer- 
cial treaty between the two countries. This was a work 
of time, involving so many conflicting interests, that it 
was not fully completed in all its details for more than a 
year. 

On his Third Visit to America, he came in the royal 
frigate La Nymphe, and landed at New York city on the 
4th day of August, 1784. It so happened, that in the 
whole of the Revolution, he had never been in the city of 
New York ; and its citizens, as if to make up for lost 
time, gave him a most splendid reception. Among the 
many great attentions shown him, was a grand entertain- 
ment the next day after his arrival, at which his comrades 
in arms appeared in uniform in honor of the occasion. 

He entered the city of Philadelphia with the shouts of 
the multitude, ringing of bells and firing of cannon. 
Generals Wayne, Irwin and St. Clair were deputed to 
congratulate him on his arrival and welcome him to the 
city. The Legislature of Pennsylvania, then in session, 
voted him a flattering address, and the citizens at large 
A'ied with each other to do him honor. 

On the 14th of August, he left Philadelphia, staid a 
short time in Baltimore, and arrived at Mount Vernon, 
the seat of General Washington, on the 19th. An ac- 
count of this interview between such long-tried and cordial 
friends, that I may not be accused of bordering too much 



14 

on tlie sontiinental, I give in tho cloqnont words of an- 
other : " AYhcn we reflect upon the princi{)Hl events in 
the lives of these two illustrious men — the difference in 
their ages and countries — the distance which separated 
them from each other — the circumstances which brought 
them together — the importance of the scenes through 
which they had passed — ^tlie glorious success of their 
courageous efforts — their mutual anxiety again to embrace 
each other — the tender and truly paternal esteem of the 
one, and the respect, admiration and filial attachment of 
the other — when we reflect upon all this, we find that 
everything contributed to stamp this interesting interview 
with a sublimity of character which had no prototype in 
the annals of men." 

Twelve blissful days were spent at Mount Vernon, and 
then he went to the Xorth, and aided in the negotiations 
with the Indians at Fort Schuyler, l^he Indians believed . 
in *' Kayewla," as they called Lafayette, took his advice 
and made peace with the whites. After making presents 
to the Chiefs, he left them, with a treaty fully ratified,/ 
and proceeded, through Albany, Hartford and Worcester, 
to Boston. Knthusastic demonstrations awaited him all 
along the route ; but it was at Boston that he had the 
most splendid triumph. A magnificent military proces- ' 
sion, bearing the flags of America and France, with a 
vast multitude of citizens, escorted him into the metropo- 
lis, and through t!ie princij)al streets, amid the ringing of 
bells, firing of canu<tn, and shouts of the nudtitudc. 
Illuminations in his honor and fireworks on the Common 
wei'c the order of the niiiht. 

On the ll>th of October, the aimiversary of the surren- 
der of Lord (^ornwallis, a grand dinner was given at the 
City Hotel. A grand })rocession was formed, composeil 
of the Governor, Council and meml)ei-s of the Legisla- 
ture, accompanied l)y the old (•ontiiieiital officers, soldiers 



15 

and citizens, under escort of military companies, and 
proceeded to the great saloon of the Hotel, where enter- 
tainment had been provided for five hundred persons. 
Thirteen arcades were thrown across the Hall, emblemati- 
cal of the thirteen States of the Union. Lafayette was 
seated beneath the centre arch, where a wreath of flowers 
was suspended. After dinner thirteen toasts were drank, 
and each one was enthusiastically cheered by the band of 
music and thirteen guns in State Street. When the health 
of Washington Avas announced as the last toast, a curtain 
immediately fell and disclosed a portrait of him, encircled 
]:)y laurels and decorated with the flags of America and 
France. Lafayette arose and gazed at it with a look of 
pleasure and surprise, when a voice exclaimed, "Long 
LIVE Washington !" The eflTect was electrical — all arose 
as one man — shouts of '■^Long live Washingto7i" re- 
sounded throughout the Hall, and in that enthusiastic 
manner the feast ended. 

From Boston, he visited the towns of Salem, Marble- 
head, Gloucester, Beverley, Ipswich, Newburyport and 
Portsmouth, N. H. Returning to Boston, he embarked 
again in the La Nymplie, which liad come round from 
New York, and sailed awav to the theatre of his greatest 
glory, the Chesapeake Bay. He landed at Yorktown, and 
it was with no ordinary emotions he viewed the scenes 
of one of the greatest struggles for American independ- 
ence. It was in Virginia that he had baflled the manoeu- 
vres of one of the most accomplished and bravest Gen- 
erals of Europe, and finally compelled him to surrender 
with his whole army and munitions of war. 

From Yorktown, he proceeded to Williamsburg, where 
he received a most cordial reception, and on the 18th of 
November entered the city , of Richmond ; and here he 
met with a reception transcending, if possible, all former 
displays. Gen. Wasliington was in waiting for him here. 



^ 



1() 

and at'ter receiving tlic entluisiastic congratulations of the 
Legislature and citizens, he accompanied, once more, his 
venerable and revered friend to the shades of Mount Ver- 
non. After staying there about a week, and visiting 
Alexandria, they })roceeded to Anna})olis, and here, they 
took an affectionate leave of each other. Gen. Washing- 
ton, not satisfied with this one leave-taking, on his return 
home, wrote him a farewell letter, bordering more on the 
sentimental than any other of his numerous conx'spon- 
dence. They never met again, but corresponded with 
each other until the death of Washington, in 1799. 

Journeying Northward, he took leave of Congress, then 
in session at Trenton. Mr. Jay, as Chairman of a Con- 
/ gressional Committee, presented the resolutions of that 
body, with an im})assioned address of his own ; to which, 
Gen. Lafayette exclaimed: "May this immense temple 
of freedom ever stand, a lesson to tiie oppressed, and a 
sanctuary for the rights of mankind." Patriotism now, 
with a voice that seems to wake the dead, utters the same 
"invocation througliout our wide and extended domain, and 
rejoices that it has Avithstood the shock of one of the most 
jrio-antic rebellions ever known among men. 
/ On the 25th of December, 1784, he embarked at Xew 

York, on board the La Nymphe, which had come round 
to that port to receive him, sailed for France, and anived 
in Paris on the 2oth of .January, 17<S5. 

In 1<S24, just forty years after he had taken his leave of 
Washington, he paid his Fourth^ and L<(xt Vi-^!t, to this 
(country. When he signified his Intention of visiting his 
American friends, Pnisident Munroe, authorized by (Con- 
gress, tendered him a national shij). '^Fhis, he declined, 
alleging that, as he came in no official ca])acity, but as a 
private citizen, he preferred to embark in a merchant 
packet ship. 

A\'hen his intention of visitiny- this I'ountrv was known 



17 

In France, it became manifest to him that the king, Louis 
XVIII., was opposed to the movement, and would pre- 
vent it if he could find any plausible pretext for so doing. 
For the king was well aware that his visit would occasion 
many public patriotic speeches, which would be reported, 
and published in France, and cause discontent among the 
people, and perhaps, danger to the throne itself. There- 
fore, it was, when he arrived at Havre, and made prepar- 
ations to embark, he was beset by a large police force, 
who harrassed his steps ; and when anyone made any 
demonstration of joy at his presence, he was at once ar- 
rested and imprisoned. He felt that he was watched, and 
had he made any address to the crowd, would have been 
arrested and prevented from visiting this country at all. 
He, therefore, said not a word, but waved his hand to 
the people and quietly embarked. 

It was in the American packet ship, Cadmus, Capt. 
Allyn, that he embarked ; and after a pleasant voyage of 
thirty-one days, he arrived at the port of New York, on 
the 14th day of August, 1824. It was Sunday, and by 
invitation of Vice-President Thompkins, he landed at 
Staten Island and spent the Sabbath with him. 

On Monday morning, he arose early and walked out to 
exercise his limbs on shore. It was a beautiful day. The 
sun rose bright and clear in the East. On turning to 
look in the opposite direction, he beheld a beautiful, high 
arched rainbow over the land in the West'. He hailed it 
as a happy omen, and deemed it to be a bow of welcome 
as well as of promise. But when he saw the fleet of 
steamers coming to escort him to the city of New York, 
he was amazed at what he beheld. There was a squadron 
of eight steamers — the Chancellor Livingston, Bellona, 
Connecticut, Oliver Ellsworth, Henry Eckford, Nautilus, 
Olive Branch, and the steam frigate Robert Fulton — all 
gaily dressed for the occasion ; with bands of music, flags 
3 



18 

flyiiiijf, and filled with joyous ladies and j^entlenien. On 
I'eacliing the shore, the Fulton gave a national salute, 
flags waved as well as ladies' white handkerehief's, the 
bands of music saluted and the men shouted a welcome. 
The General was shouted aboard the steamer (Miancellor 
Livingston; two others grappled the shij) Cadmus, took 
it in tow, and then all turned their ])rows to the city of 
New York, some ten miles away. It was a most beauti- 
ful day, and when this flotilla of steamers started, led by 
the Chancellor Livingston, salutes, shouts and cheers 
awakened the echoes aloni*' the shore, and the bigr ffuns of 
Brooklyn uttered tlieir deep toned voices across the water, 
and u)ade the steamers tremble as they })assed. 

On landing at the Battery, he was met by a nudtitude 
that no man coidd number, introduced to many citizens, 
j)aii:ook of some refreshment a-t Castle Garden, and then 
took a seat with Gen. Morton in an open barouche and 
proceeded up Broadway to l)e introduced to the Mayor at 
the City Hall. As he procee<led, he cast a look above and 
around him, and such a gorgeous (lisi)lay he had seldom 
or never witnessed, even in excitable France. He there 
beheld triumphal arches, flags suspended across the street, 
joyous men, women and children, on house toj)S, bal- 
cimies, and in windows, on sidewalks and in the streets : 
bands of music j)laying, bells ringing, men shouting and 
women waving their handkerchiefs ; and then flowers, 
in bouquets and wreaths, came showering down from all 
quarters, so that the horses at times literally "walked on 
flowers ;" made su(;h a display, in extent so unexpected, 
and in such contrast to the manner of his leaving France, 
that he was completely overwhelmed ; and, on reaching 
(^itv Hall, had to step aside into an antt'-room In wipe 
awav his tears, and compose himself before entering the 
audience hall. 

As he had ])romised a Hying visit to Boston to set' his 



19 

revolutionary friends, before paying his respects to tlic 
General Government at Washington, he stayed only four 
days in the city of New York. Supposing he was to fur- 
nish his own conveyance to Boston, he sent his servant to 
procure the needful equipage. The servant soon returned 
and announced that the carriages would be at the door in 
less than an hour. When the carriages came, an officer, 
with an escort, came with them. When he was about to 
step on board, he inquired of the officer when, where and 
how much he was to pay for his conveyance to Boston. 
The officer turned and said, "General Lafayette ! you are 
the Nation's Guest ; you can pay nothing while you re- 
main in America — all your wants will be abundantly 
supplied by a grateful people, without money and without 
price." 

And he found the announcement of the officer literally 
true, for he had not been permitted to expend a dollar on 
his whole trip throughout the States of the Union. 

He found himself seated in an elegant carriage with a 
splendid escort, and on his way to Boston. On coming 
to a toll gate, he observed two men in a carriage before 
him, who had stopped to pay toll. The toll gate was 
open, the keeper came to the door of the toll house, 
waved his hand, and said : " Go ahead ! the road is free ; 
General Lafayette travels this road to-day, and no man 
pays toll." 

He left New York on the 20th of August, and was 
four days on his trip through Connecticut and Rhode 
Island to Boston. He had a splendid escort all the way, 
and great demonstrations of joy were made ])y the citizens 
of the several towns and villages through which he passed. 
He took the lower route near the sea coast, through 
Bridgeport, New Haven, New London and Providence, 
R. I. He was so much delayed by the demonstrations on 
the way, that he had to travel sometimes in the night. 



20 

It was midnipflit when he ontenMl Dcdliam, yet ho found 
the vilhige ilhiniinatcd and the po()j)k' all wide awake to 
give him a cordial reception. Late at night, or rather 
early in the morning, he arrived at the mansion house of" 
Gov. Eustis, in Koxburv. The meetinjj between these 
revolutionary friends was most cordial ; they did, indeed, 
"cry for joy." 

On Tuesday, Aug. 24, a large cavalcade, and citizens in 
carriages and on foot, escorted him to Boston. The pro- 
cession passed through the principal streets, amid the 
ringing of hells, firing of cannon and shouts of the mul- 
titude. On the East side of the Common, three thousand 
school children of both sexes, dressed in uniform, with 
ribbons on the breast stamped with likenesses of Lafay- 
ette, were paraded in two lines ; they saluted the General 
as he passed, and their shrill voices were distinctly heard 
above the din of the hour. The General's carriage paused 
for a moment while he turned to salute the children, when 
a Miss of some ten simimers darted from the line, leaped 
into his carriage and placed a wreath of laurel, interwoven 
with flowers, on his head. He imj)ressed a kiss on her 
blushing cheek as she retired. Inuuediately he [)laced the 
wreath on the seat beside him, and found a neatly folded 
paper attached, containing the following lines, which he 
read at his leisure : — 

"An infant hand presents these blushin<j: flowers, 

Glowing and pure as childhood's artless hours; 

Twined with the laurel Fame on thee bestowed, 

When thy young heart with patriot ardor glowed. 

Self-exiled from the charms of wealth and love, 

And home, and friends, thou did'st our champion prove: 

And by the side of glorious Washington, 

Did'st make our grateful country all thine own. 

Go, fragile offering, speak the ardent joy 

Our bosoms feel, which time can ne'er destroy." 

Beautiful an^hes were thrown across many of the prin- 
cipal streets, covered with evergreens and flowers. One 



21 

on Washington street was superb, and contained the fol- 
lowing lines : — 

"WELCOME, LAFAYETTE!" 

"Our fathers in glory now sleep, 

Who gathered with thee to the fight; 
But the sons will eternally keep 
The tablet of gratitude bright. 
We bow not the neck, 

We bend not the knee ; 

But our hearts, Lafayette, 

We surrender to thee." 

As the procession came on to Beacon street, it reminded 
the General of his dear revolutionary friend, Mrs. Han- 
cock ; and he inquired of the Mayor if she was yet alive. 
He was assured that she was not only alive, but of quite 
good health for a person of her advanced age. And then, 
says the Mayor, you will see her at the window as we 
pass, and as the sashes are out, you will have a fine view 
of her. As the carriage came opposite her house, the 
venerable lady was seen at an open window. General 
Lafayette arose in his carriage, waved his hat, hand, and 
bowed to the venerable lady, while she waved her hand- 
kerchief, hand, and courtesied to him. This pantomime, 
between two such conspicuous characters, attracted the 
attention of the crowd, and wound up with loud shouts 
of applause. 

General Lafayette was left by his escort at the steps of 
the vState House, and proceeded to the iSenate Chamber, 
where were assembled the Governor and Council, Judges 
of Courts and revolutionary worthies. Ex-Gov. John 
Brooks was present, and was recognized at once by the 
General, and they had a cordial meeting. Here he was 
welcomed, in behalf of the State, by Gov. Eustis ; and, 
anticipating what might happen, had prepared his address 
in writing. He bi'oke down before he had completed the 
fii'st sentence, and handed it to his aid to read. 



22 

The General was then escorted to his headquarters, at 
the head of" Park street. It is a hirge brick building, 
built tor a club house, and is still standing. It was hired 
and fitted up by the City of Boston, as a first-class hotel, 
for the General's particular use and headquarters Avhile in 
Boston. Being on the corner of l*ark and Beacon streets, 
and facing the Common, it is moi*e airy and pleasant than 
any hotel in the city. Standing but a short distance from 
the State; House on the East, and the Gov. Hancock house 
about the same distance on the West, he found time to 
pay a number of visits to the venerable lady Hancock. 
During the Revolution, and in the lifetime of her hus- 
band, he had made her house his home while in Boston. 
She had always ti'cated him with all the kind attentions of 
an affectionate mother, and he liad always esteemed hei- as 
one of his most valued friends. 

In 1824, 1 had the })leasure of seeing the venerable lady 
Hancock, and looking over the ancient Hancock mansion. 
It stood on high ground, facing the Common, was said to 
have been the handsomest house in Boston when built, 
and then displayed many traits of architectural beauty. 
But where is it now ? Gone ! Stern modern improve- 
ment got hold of that and tore it to atoms I But the 
plain, staid, homely " Old South" still remains ; and at a 
cost and on conditions that will stagger the belief of pos- 
terity. Verily, there is no accounting for taste.* 

The General was escorted to Cambridge, wiiere he 
attend(>d the comuK'neement of Harvard (Vdleji^e, and was 



*NoTK — It is a marvel that some of the wise aiitiqnarians of 
Hoston had not suggested the propriety of preserving intact the 
muddy shores of the frog pond on the Common, in its primitive 
ugliness, rather than permit it to be modernized with a neat curli- 
stone wall and a pleasant gravelled walk. It was the most ancient, 
as well as the most ugly, of anything in Boston, not excepting the 
" Old South." Good taste does not incline to preserve anything 
useless and ugly, however ancient it may be. 



23 

welcomed to that institution by the learned President 
Kirkland. On the Thursday following, he attended the 
anniversary of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and listened 
to the impassioned eloquence of Prof. Edward Everett. 

But I cannot relate all his visits, receptions and dinners 
during the week, in detail ; and, therefore, shall only state 
that he went to jVIedford and dined with his venerable 
friend Gov. Brooks ; and to Quincy, and spent the day 
with President John Adams. 

And now I come to the climax of his visit at Boston, 
and to the first time I had the pleasure of seeing Gen. 
Lafayette. In 1824 and '25 I lived in Concord,. N. H., 
was editor of a newspaper, and was an aid to Gov. Mor- 
rill, — the only time, as far as I know, when an aid of the 
Governor was of any importance to him, the State, or to 
himself. Soon after Gen. Lafayette's arrival in Boston, 
I received an order from the Governor to invite him to 
visit New Hampshire. It was at the club house where I 
first saw him, and although he was surrounded by many 
venerable men, strangers to me, yet at once I designated 
Lafayette from all others. I was accompanied by Gov. 
Eustis' aid, who called the Governor's attention to myself, 
and he introduced me to Gen. Lafayette. In the most 
fitting words I could command, in behalf of Gov. Mor- 
rill, I invited him to visit New Hampshire at his earliest 
convenience. He replied, that his intention was to visit 
New Hampshire, but not then. It had been arranged 
that he should be present and assist in laying the corner 
stone of the Bunker Hill Monument the next year, on tlie 
17th of June, and immediately thereafter, he sliould be 
happy to pay his respects to the government and people 
of New Hampshire ; and as the Legislature would then 
be in session, he deemed it to be a favorable time for his 
visit. I bowed assent, and he retired. The Governor 
stop|)ed a moment and said : " This is the morning of a 



24 

great day In Boston. Many companies of our militia will 
pass in review l)efbre (len. Lafayette in front of the State 
House, and a great dinner will be given in a tent on the 
Common ; and here is a ticket for the dinner. The General 
will also attend the Theatre at night, which will be filled 
to overflowing ; but as I have a few reserved seats at my 
command, I will give you a ticket for the Theatre also. 
And now, if you will make yourself at home with my aid, 
he will give you a favorable position to witness the im- 
portant coming events." And he did. 

Monday, the 30th day of August, 1824, was the great 
display on Boston Common. Nearly 9000 troops lined 
the Common, the head resting on Park street gate. At 
ten o'clock the show began. Gen. Lafayette, accompa- 
nied by Gov. Eustis, his aids, council and many citizens, 
were escorted down from the State House to the Common, 
and formed a line on the high ground at the front. Gen. 
Lafiiyette moved a few paces in front and uncovered his 
head. At that moment, the commanding oflScer announced 
in a loud voice, General Lafayette ! The troops 
wera standing "at ease," with ordered amns ; and when 
this announcement was made they clapped their hands 
along the vv4iole line ; but as sound comes to the ear ac- 
cording to distance, it seemed like the prolonged roll of a 
drum ; and then, with uncovered heads, they tried their 
voices in loud, rousing cheers. Whether the crowd joined 
in this, I know not, but 1 nuist confess I never heard such 
rousing cheers before. The order was then given to 
shoulder and present arms. Then the large band of nmsic 
at the head of the column gave their thrilling cheers in 
three times three. In the meantime the General waved 
his hat and hand in recognition of these demonstrations 
of joy at his presence. The troo{)s tlien wheeled by pla- 
toons and marched. As they passed before the General, 
it was manifest that enthusiasm conquered discipline. 



25 

The best drilled troops, and they were of the first order, 
continually broke ranks, in spite of all commands and 
efforts of officers. The General would occasionally smile, 
for he deemed the temporary disorder not a lack of dis- 
cipline, but really as complimentary to himself. But 
sometimes the officer himself lost all thought of his men, 
gave the salute, faced round, advanced backwards, gazed 
at the General, and when his advancing men obstructed 
his view, turned and passed on. If the revolution tried 
men's souls, it would seem that Lafayette tried men's 
hearts. 

As the General stood there in bold relief to a countless 
multitude — the "observed of all observers," — I could not 
but notice the simplicity of his dress. The hero of two 
hemispheres stood there in Nankin pants, swans-down 
vest, blue broadcloth coat with gilt buttons, and a com- 
mon beaver hat, and plain shoes on his feet, — without 
any insignia of rank or office on his person. What a com- 
mentary on dress now ! 

After the review was passed, the troops performed some 
well executed evolutions, and for the time were dismissed. 
The public dinner was under a large tent on the high 
ground near the center of the Common. It was the largest 
and most enthusiastic feast I ever attended. There were 
six tables 170 feet long, with a cross table on an elevated 
platform at the head, on wMch were placed 1(300 plates, 
and all filled. At the cross table, sat. the Governor and 
staff. Gen. Lafayette, and a few invited guests. There 
were toasts prepared, and a toast-master, but the enthu- 
siasm was so great that a rule had been made that no one 
should make a speech or give a volunteer toast, except 
through the toast-master — to be read at his discretion. 
But if men could not make speeches, or give toasts, it 
must not be supposed that it was a silent feast. They 
were not prohibited from talking or cheering ; and when 
4 



2^6 

the regular toasts were given, tliey were cheered to tlic 
echo, more especially those that in any manner alhuled to 
Gen. Lafayette. The General quietly ate his dinner, 
took his glass of wine, leaned back in liis cliair and lis- 
tened awhile to the toasts, and then he and the Governor 
retired. No partiaUty was shown, for the General was 
most enthusiastically cheered in his going as well as in his 
coming. I left most of the guests at the tal)le, and how 
the feast ended I know not, and never inquired. 

A.t nio-ht, I attended the theatre, and entered a box 
that my ticket indicated near the centre. The house was well 
filled, and soon crowded to its utmost capacity from pit to 
gallery. The play began ; Init no one paid any attention 
to it, for all were absorbed in the expected General, and 
could not attend to anything else ; and he was late, for he 
had to show hiujself at a levee and a ball, previous to his 
comino- there, to be introduced, more especially, to the 
ladies. At length, the General, Governor and suite en- 
tered the house. The audience rose at once, and gave 
such rounds of cheers as never echoed within its walls 
before. It was not quite as powerful as a Southern or 
A\'estern whirlwind, for the high-arched roof held on. In 
the meanthne, the ladies waved their white handkerchiefs, 
and the orchestra ga^■e a salute, and then played a national 
air. And then the curtain arose and showed at the back 
of the stage a picture of a rfarge castle, with the word 
" La Grange" at the bottom, in large letters. The Gen- 
eral arose, waved his hat and bowed his head, in token of 
recognition of his beautiful residence in France. He 
afterwards told me, it was a very perfect likeness, and 
must have been painted from tlie building itself. And 
then, an actor appeared and sang a patriotic song of wel- 
come, which was abnndantly cheered and encored. 

But why attempt to describe what is indescribable? 
The play itself was nowhere. The actors, indeed, had 



27 

" their exits and their entrances," but no one paid any 
attention to them. I did not know at the time, what the 
play was, w^ho the actors were, or what they said ; and 
presume no one else did. The General totally eclipsed 
everything else, and at an early hour the green curtain 
came down and the show was over. The General was 
shouted aboard his carriage, and cheered along the illumi- 
nated streets ; but the sound at length died away in the 
distance, and Boston, for a time, was at rest. 

The General did not intend to extend his visit at that 
time, any further East than Boston, and had made his 
arrangements to start for New York City on the 2d day 
of September, at 2 o'clock P. M. But the pressure was 
so great, and the curiosity to see him so intense, that, 
through the good offices of the efficient Mayor of Boston, 
he consented to make a flying visit as far as Portsmouth, 
N. H., on the condition that he could be returned in time 
to fulfill his engagements. 

Accordingly, he left Boston at an early hour on the 
31st of August, took breakfast at Marblehead and dined 
at Salem at 2 P. M., staid at Newburyport over night, 
and appeared at Portsmouth at 8 o'clock, September 1. 
His visit at Portsmouth was a splendid affiiir, exceeding 
anything ever known or attempted there, before or since ; 
an account of which fills three and a half columns of the 
Portsmouth Journal of that time. Only an allusion can 
be made to it now. 

He was met at the line of Greenland by a procession, 
two miles long, of citizens in carriages and on horseback, 
and escorted to Portsmouth. On reaching Wibirds' Hill 
a national salute was fired by a detachment of the Ports- 
mouth Artillery. At that point, the Strafford Guards 
from Dover, the Rockingham Guards and Oilman Blues 
joined the procession and performed escort duty through 
the streets of Portsmouth. On entering the compact part 



28 

of the town, cannon were fired, bells rung, the men 
shouted a welcome and the ladies flourished their white 
handkercliiefs. And here, more than a thousand school 
children lined the street, dressed in uniform, with Lafay- 
ette ])adores on the breast ; and their infant voices so viof- 
orously sliouted a welcome, tliat their shrill voices could 
be lieard, as at Boston, above the dec[)-toned voices of 
men, martial music or the ringing of bells. After pass- 
ing through Middle, Broad, Court and C^ongress streets, 
he was landed at Franklin Hall, where he was introduced 
to revolutionary veterans and many citizens. A grand 
dinner was given in Jefferson Hall, where more than three 
hundred young ladies were individually introduced to him. 
The Hall and principal buildings in Portsmouth were 
illuminated, and made a most splendid a[)pearance. 

He left the Hall at 10, repaired to the Gov. Langdon 
Mansion House, where he made his headquarters while in 
Portsmouth, partook of some refreshment, and at 11 was 
on his way, under escort, to Boston. Althougli he had to 
travel 60 miles, he was in Boston at 7 o'clock the next 
morning, in good time to perform all his previous engage- 
ments. He had entered Boston on the 24th of August, 
and left for New York on the 2d day of of September. 
His visit at the East was, therefore, only eight days. 
A^^lat a viijorous man he must have been to go tlirouo^h 
such a round of rece[)tions, dinners and speeches, and 
travel so many miles in so short a time ! 

General Lafayette, after rest and refreshment, left Bos- 
ton at 2 o'clock, [)assed through Lexington and Concord, 
stop})od over niglit at the home of Co\. Wilder at Stowe, 
who had been well acquainted with tlie General and his 
family in France. He then passed through Lancaster, 
Boston, Sterling and West Boylston to A\'orcester. Here 
he was welcomed by a large assemblage of citizens, and 
escorted through the princii)al streets. The children of 



29 

the schools were out in large numbers, ornamented with 
badges of Lafayette, and threw laurels in his path as he 
passed. He was here introduced to a large number of 
revolutionary officers and soldiers, and the meeting was 
very aifecting to them both. He then passed on to Hart- 
ford in Connecticut, where his stay was short, but highly 
gratifying and enthusiastic. Indeed, for the whole dis- 
tance from Boston to Hartford, he had been conducted by 
a continual escort and welcomed with great joy by vast 
multitudes as he passed. 

At Hartford, he took a steamer, called at Middletown, 
and then passed down the river into Long Island Sound, 
and was greatly saluted and cheered as lie entered again 
the City of New York. 

But to be more explicit, he returned from his Eastern 
tour in the steamer Oliver Ellsworth, Sept. 5, at one 
o'clock P. M. A national salute was fired by the Frank- 
lin 74 as he passed ; and the wharves and shores on East 
River for two miles were lined with a great multitude of 
citizens, who shouted continued welcomes along the whole 
distance. He was received at the Fulton street wharf, 
and conducted to his lodgings at the City Hotel, through 
streets filled with people, whose anxiety to see him had in 
no wise abated. 

On the 6th of September, the anniversary of the Gen- 
eral's birthday, for he was then 67 years old, the Cincin- 
nati Veterans gave him a birthday dinner in Washington 
Hall ; and he was escorted there by the Lafayette Guards . 
The room was splendidly decorated for the occasion, and 
over the chair where the General sat was a triumphal arch 
of evergreens and laurels, on the centre of which was a 
large eagle with a scroll in his beak bearing the words 
Sept. 6, 1757, the day of his birth ; on the right with 
a scroll bearing the words " Brandyivine, SejJf. 11, 
1777," and another on the left, with the words " York- 



30 

town, Oct. 19, 1781.''' But the decorations of this Hall 
wore so numerous and splendid, they cannot well be de- 
scribed in detail. Col. Varick, the president of the Soci- 
ety, presided, the guests were venerable and numerous, 
and most of them his conn-ades in arms during the revolu- 
tion. It was to the General the most interesting banquet 
he had attended in America. 

On Tuesday, he visited Columbia College ; and Wednes- 
day he embarked on board the Clianccllor Livingston, 
visited the most interesting places in the Bay, and wound 
up the trip at the Narrows, when a national salute Avas 
fired at Fort Lafayette. He inspected the fort, equip- 
ments and soldiers, and the visit was finished by a most 
delightful repast. 

But time would fail me to enumerate all the h(jnors 
paid the General at Xew York. But one was so unique 
and marvellous that it must not be omitted. On Tiiurs- 
day the fire department of New York City and Brooklyn 
turned out in its full strength and paraded in the Park. 
The fire engines numbered 4fi, besides a number of hook 
and ladder companies. The General appeared on the 
balcony of a hall near by, in company with a numl)er of 
gentlemen and ladies, to witness the scene. In the centre 
of the Park, the ladders of the companies were erected in 
the form of a pyramid, on the top of which was ])laced 
a miniature house fiDed with combustibles. The engines, 
charged with water, then aj)proached on all sides at a suit- 
able distance ; at a signal the house was fired, and when 
in full blaze, 46 engines, from all sides, played upon it. 
In a twinkling, the house and fire were nowhere, but 46 
streams of water from as many powerful engines, accu- 
rately directed to a common centre, shot the water high in 
the air like a mighty fountain, and then the spray, like 
silver rain, came down on all sides : and as the sun shone, 
rainbows appeared in all their In'illiant colors. The scene 



31 

was so enchanting, unique and unexpected, that the Gen- 
eral, as well as the ladies, could not suppress their dem- 
onstrations of joy. 

On Tuesday evening, August 15, 1824, at the City 
Hotel, Gen. Lafayette took an affectionate leave of Capt. 
Allyn, of the ship Cadmus, and presented him with a 
superb writing desk. He also presented Daniel Chad wick, 
chief mate, a beautiful case of matliematical instruments, 
surmounted with silver ; and to all the other officers and 
crew he gave a valued keepsake. The next day the ship 
Cadmus sailed for France. 

But a climax of the displays at New York was reached 
at last, in a brilliant ball, given at Castle Garden. More 
than six thousand ladies and gentlemen attended ; and it 
was, probably, the most costly and splendid ball ever 
given in the United States. I must leave it undescribed, 
for it baffles the power of speech or pen. Those that are 
curious in such affairs, Avill find an attempted description 
in the newspapers of the time. It must be admitted, that 
in extent and variety, the citizens of New York bore the 
palm in doing honor to Gen. Lafayette. They had the 
means and the will, and to these was added consununate 
skill. 

Immediately after the ball, and at the early hour of two 
o'clock on Wednesday morning, the General, his son and 
suite, together with a large company of ladies and gentle- 
men, went on board the steamer James Kent, and pro- 
ceeded up the river to visit Albany, the seat of govern- 
ment, and the intermediate towns on the route. It was a 
most delightful trip, not only in romantic natural scenery, 
but in artificial displays, at all the principal towns on the 
river. In addition to all this, the river banks were, gen- 
erally, lined by a joyous nmltitude of people ; and shouts 
of welcome echoed from shore to shore all the way to the' 
end of the route. I cannot stop now to describe the many 



32 

enchanting' scenes of the trip, as it would be too volumi- 
nous for the present occasion. 

The boat returned to New York early on Sunday morn- 
ing, and the General repaired to his lodgings at the City 
Hotel. On Monday he dined with the Grand Lodge of 
the State. Six hundred of the craft were present, decor- 
ated with all the Masonic symbols. 

He then received a most interesting address from the 
children of the village of Catskill, enclosing one hundred 
and fifty dollars to constitute him a life member of the 
American Bible Society. The General was much moved 
at this, and returned a most affectionate reply. 

On Thursday morning the General took a formal and 
an affecting leave of his New York friends at the City 
Hotel. He was then escorted to the steamer James Kent, 
by large troops of horse and a battalion of infantry, ac- 
companied by an immense multitude to bid him an affec- 
tionate adieu. The boat left the wharf amidst continued 
cheers, and the General stood upon deck waving his hat 
and hand, and bowing his head until lost to sight by the 
multitude on shore. 

The General then passed on through New Jersey, Penn- 
sylvania and ^Maryland, to Washington. Civic and mar- 
tial honors awaited him all along the route, but must now 
be imagined rather than described. 

He had a most imposing and cordial welcome at Wash- 
ington city. Congress was not then in session, but due 
honors were paid him by the President, officers of gov- 
ernment and citizens. His stay in Washington was then 
short, as he intended to return in December, when Con- 
gress would be in session. 

At noon, on the Kkh of September, 1824, he entered 
the Ancient Dominion, at Alexandria. Due honors were 
paid him here, and he then passed on to Mount Vernon 
to pay his devoirs at the shrine of his beloved friend, 



33 

Washington. He staid here over Sunday, and on Mon- 
day he proceeded down the river Potomac to Yorktown, 
in company with two other steamers filled with ladies and 
gentlemen. 

Hit? reception at Yorktown was very imposing. The 
village was turned into a camp, and the veritable tent of 
Washington was there, into which ^Lafayette entered with 
deep emotion, and there received many of his revolution- 
ary friends ; and on Wednesday morning he partook of a 
military breakfast, in the tent of Washington, with his 
comrades in arms. 

After leaving Yorktown the General visited Williams- 
burg, Norfolk, Petersburg and Richmond. The demon- 
strations in honor of Gen. Lafayette need not be described 
in detail, but suffice it to say that all the magnificent 
parade, splendid decorations, civic feasts and martial 
honors that marked his whole progress, from the time he 
first landed on our shores, were displayed to their full ex- 
tent in the State of Virginia. 

General Lafayette left Richmond November 2d, and 
arrived at Monticcllo , on a visit to his venerable friend 
President Jefferson, and arrived there on the 4th. The 
meeting was most cordial and affectionate. They re- 
mained locked in each others' arms several minutes before 
they could find utterance to their feelings. The General 
was presented to his family and friends, and was most 
cordially entertained. He passed a week at Monticello, to 
enjoy the repose of that beautiful seat, under the courteous 
hospitality of his beloved friend ; and which, also, afforded 
him some leisure to reply to his numerous correspondents. 
Although the General had an active and efficient Secre- 
tary, yet his unanswered letters then amounted to nearly 
four hundred ! 

While here, he visited the University of Virginia, at 
Charlottsville, some five miles away, and there dined with 
5 



34 

the fiiculty of the Collcfje, jintl invited guests. The Col- 
lege was founded by Mr. Jefferson, and lie was anxious to 
attend Lafayette on his visit, but age and ill health pre- 
vented. He sent a note, however, apologizing for his 
absence, and in connnendation of his friend. 

It may be worthy of note that the Sages of Quincy 
and Monticello, in about a year and a half after their in- 
terview with General Lafayette, both died on the same 
4th of July, in 182G ; and the messengers who bore tid- 
ings of the event, met at Philadelphia, where they had 
signed the Declaration of Independence together in 177G, 
just half a century before. Though diverse their lives, 
during a portion of their long and eventful pilgrimage on 
earth, they exchanged friendly salutations years before its 
close, and at last, on the Birthday of the Nation, started 
for eternity together ! 

The General then visited President Madison, at Mont- 
pelier. His reception there was very cordial ; and after a 
few days he left for Washington City, and arrived there 
on the 23d of November. He dined on the same day with 
the President, in company witli the oflficers of the General 
Government and city. 

On a pressing invitation, he visited Baltimore to attend 
the great Cattle Show of the State of Maryland. He was 
received at Baltimore with unabated cordiality, and was 
complimented with the delivery of the })remiums. On 
his return to Washington, he made the ^\"hite House his 
headquarters. 

When Congress was in session, lie was introduced into 
tlic Senate l)v a C'onunittee and most cordially received ; 
but in the House of Re[)resentatives he had a most im- 
posing reception. 

On Friday, December 10, at one o'clock, he was intro- 
duced to the House by a committee of 24 members, and 
when the General appeared, the members of the House 



35 

and Senate and distinguished persons admitted on the 
floor of the House, all rose and remained standing, while 
Henry Clay, the Speaker, in behalf of Congress and 
nation, addressed the Nation's Guest, in the highest strains 
of impassioned eloquence. To which address, Gen. La- 
fayette replied in a most happy and feeling manner. The 
House then adjourned, and each member, preceded by the 
Speaker, took the General by the hand and gave him a 
hearty welcome. So cordial and fervent was the greeting, 
that those who witnessed it aver its parallel cannot be 
found in Grecian or Roman history. 

The scene in the Senate was less imposing, but not less 
honorable ; for it is known, that General Lafayette is the 
only person that ever had a public reception in that body. 

On the 22d day of December, 1824, Congress passed 
a bill granting General Lafayette two hundred, thousand 
dollars in money, and also, a township of public land to l)e 
selected by the President. President Munroe selected, it 
is said, what is now called Tallahassee, in Florida. The 
President personally presented the land warrant, with an 
appropriate address. Capitalists then offered General 
Lafayette one hundred thousand dollars for his township ; 
and as he did not wish to colonize it himself, or sell it by 
piecemeal, he accepted the offer. He had then three 
hundred thousand dollars in money, which he deposited in 
the United States Bank at Philadelphia. 

General Lafayette took his tour from Washington 
through the Southern and Western States about the first 
of March, 1825. He visited the principal towns in North 
and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Ten- 
nessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. 
He passed up the Mississippi river in a steamer, and then 
up the Ohio river to Pittsburg. He visited Buffalo, Ni- 
agara Falls, and returned to Albany by way of the Erie 
canal. From Albany he proceeded directly to Boston, 



36 

through Springfield and \A"orccster, and arrived there on 
the l()th day of June, 1825. 

On his return to the East, he had visited all the States 
in the Union, except the two New England States, Maine 
and Vermont. But he met his revolutionary friend Gov. 
Eustis no more. He had gone to his rest on the (Jth of 
February before. Gov. Brooks had also died during his 
absence. 

On the 17tli day of June, 1825, General Lafayette 
ap])eared on Bunker Hill, laid the corner stone of the 
Bunker Hill Monument, sat on the platform, surrounded 
by such a civic and military display as is seldom seen 
among men ; and Avith a sea of upturned faces, listened 
to the eloquent address of Daniel Webster on that mem- 
orable occasion. 

Massachusetts had indicated what might be done, by 
the splendid display on Boston Common the year before ; 
but it seems it was only a prelude to what her people 
could do. Bunker Hill was, indeed, captured as never 
before. 

The celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversanj of the 
battle of Bunker Hill, and the ceremony of laying the 
corner stone of an Obelisk to commemorate that great 
event, took place on the 17th of June, 1825. 

A Grand Procession was formed on Boston Common 
with the utmost precision, under the direction of General 
Lyman. The military escort was composed of sixteen 
companies of infantry and a troop of horse, all volun- 
teers and in full uniform. The survivors of tiie battle 
followed in eight carriages, about 40 in number; each 
wearing a badge, " Bunker Hill, June 17." Then 
some two hundred officers and soldiers of the revolution, 
with appropriate badges. Then tiie Bunker Hill Monu- 
ment Association in full numbers. The Masonic proces- 
sion succeeded, exceeding two thousand of the fraternity, 



37 

with all their jewels and regalia. They were followed by 
the Grand Encampments of the Knights Templar of 
Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, New Hamp- 
shire and Massachusetts, in full numbers, with banners 
and implements. And the Grand Lodges of the above 
named States, and by Royal Arch Masons, and by various 
subordinate Chapters and Lodges. A full band of music 
was attached to the Masonic procession. 

Hon. Mr. Webster, Orator of the Day, and President 
of the Bunker Hill Association ; the other officers. 

The Rev. Dr. Kirkland, Rev. Mr. Thaxter and Rev. 
Mr. Walker, Chaplain of the Day. 

The Directors and Committees of the Association. 
Gen. Lafayette in an open coach and four, with General 
Lallemand of Philadelphia. 

The General's son, George Washington Lafayette, and 
the General's suite, in a carriage. 

His Excellency the Governor. 

The Council, Senate, and House of Representatives. 

Governor Fenner of Rhode Island ; the Secretary of 
War, James Barbour, and others. 

Delegations from the several States. 

Delegations from the Plymouth Society in Plymouth. 

Officers of the Army and Navy, in uniform. 

Citizens. 

In this order, the whole proceeded through several 
streets of Boston, to Monument Square in Charlestown. 
The procession was over two miles long, and the front 
had reached Charlestown bridge when the rear left the 
Common. 

On arriving at the ground. General Lafayette, at the 
request of jVIr. Webster, President of the Association, 
assumed a mason's apron, took a trowel in hand, placed 
the mortar underneath the prepared corner stone, and by 
the assistance of operative masons laid it in its proper 



38 

place. Various articles were placed in a box, sealed up 
and put underneath the stone. A long inscription had 
been })repared and afterwards put on the Monument itself. 
By that it appears that John Quincy Adams was President 
of the United States ; Levi Lincoln, Governor of Mas- 
sachusetts ; James Fenner, of Rhode Island ; Oliver 
Wolcott, of Connecticut ; David L. Morrill, of New 
Hampshire ; Albion K. Paris, of Maine ; and Cornelius 
P. Van Ness, of Vermont. 

The platform was of the most ample dimensions, one- 
half of which was occupied by more than a thousand 
ladies. Odes were said and sung, and toasts given. The 
dinner was given under an edifice erected for the purpose, 
in which were 12 tables 400 feet long, on which were 4000 
plates, and all occupied. 

To wind up the ceremonies of the day, Mr. Webster 
arose, and after a few well chosen })refatory remarks, gave 
as a toast — 

"Health and long life to General Lafayette." 

General Lafayette arose and made a few impressive 
and feeling remarks, and then gave the following senti- 
ment : 

"BUNKER HILL, and the holy resistance to oppres- 
sion, which has already enfi'anchised the American hemis- 
phere. The next half century jubilee toast shall be En- 
franchised Europe." 

According to arrangements made the })revious year, the 
General's next excursion was to Xew Hampshire. And 
here began my active part in the movements of Gen. La- 
fayette. On Tuesday, the 21st day of June, 1825, 1 was 
in Boston, fully e(iui[)ped to escort Gen. Lafayette and 
suite to the Capital of Xew Hampshire. I had ascer- 
tained that besides the General there were his son, George 
Washington Lafayette, Emile Lavossiur, his private sec- 
retary, and his servant — who seemed to l)c a very capable 



'* man of all work." My equipage consisted of three car- 
riages — a barouche, drawn by four horses, a four-horse 
stage coach, and a two-horse covered carriage for bag- 
gage. The barouche was precisely the thing needful for 
the occasion. It was of ample dimensions, the driver's 
seat was elevated and detached from the body of the car- 
riage, and that swung so low on thorough braces that a 
person sitting down inside would be no higher than stand- 
ing up outside. Very convenient, indeed, for shaking 
hands and presenting children. The carriages and relays 
of horses on the road had been provided by Mr. Nathaniel 
Walker, the regular stage-driver on the route from Boston 
to Concord, N. H. Thus equipped, and ready to call for 
the General at his lodgings, I was met by the Governor's 
aid, who said the Governor had concluded that the honor 
of the State required that he should escort the General, 
in his own equipage, to the line of the State at Methuen, 
and we could receive him there without material delay. 
There did not seem to be anything else to do then but to 
start at once, and keep out of the way of the Governor's 
escort. 

Just at this moment a revolutionary soldier from Ver- 
mont, having attended the Bunker Hill celebration, and 
having accidentally been left by the stage, begged for a 
ride as far as Concord on his way home. As I had ample 
accommodations, he was cheerfully taken on board with 
me in the barouche. I was not aware of the dilemma I was 
in until we approached Maiden. Then it was that I could 
see a great crowd in the village, the bells began to ring, 
cannons were fired, and bands of music cheered, and as 
we came near could distinctly hear the shouts of ' ' Wel- 
come Lafayette." I then perceived that the multitude be- 
lieved the soldier at my side was none otlier than Gen. 
Lafayette, and were bound to give him due honors. I, 
therefore, urged the driver to push his team into the midst 



40 

of the crowd, so that I could undeceive theiri. With 
mingled emotions, hard to he descrihed, I arose in the 
carriage and with great eai'nestness exclaimed, " 'See that 
you do it not ; ' the gentleman at my side is )iot Gen. La- 
fayette, but a soldier of the revolution, accidentally left 
by the stage, and I am giving him a ride on his way 
home. I came to Boston, fully equipped to take the Gen- 
eral there, but the Governor lias otherwise ordered. His 
escort, with Gen. Lafayette aboard, in all the pomp and 
circumstance of a triumph, will be here in about an hour. 
But as your patriotism is up, and this gentleman at my 
side, no doubt, is a worthy revolutionary soldier, give liim 
three cheers if you please, and we pass on." They did 
this with a will ; the soldier arose, gave a soldier's salute, 
and we left. 

I then began to realize the task I had before me, and 
had my antici})ations more than realized by the time I ar- 
rived at Methuen, for I suppose I made more than twenty 
speeches to the gatherings at the villages, hotels, stores 
and cross-roads on the route, and Methuen itself was 
aroused and had to be quieted. 

At length my speeches began to be irksome to myself, 
and I tried to introduce variations, but it was of no avail ; 
for the subject could not be chang;?d, and a mere change 
of words was no relief. I then began to realize the task 
imposed on Gen. Lafayette. He had been here nearly a 
year, making speeches all over the land — often the same 
in substance, and sometimes nearly in the same words. 
And his task was double that of mine, for he had to listen 
to speeches as well as make them, and long, tedious 
speeches seem to be more irksome to hear than to make. 

It has been suggested to me that I might liave put the 
revolutionary soldier in the coach beliind me, let down the 
curtains and avoided all fiu'ther trouble. But honor and 
patriotism forbade. He was delighted where he was, bore 



41 

liis "blushing honors" with great complacency, although 
unwittingly bestowed ; and to have placed him in a rear 
carriage, merely to keep him out of sight, would have 
been an insult to his dignity. Nor would it have availed, 
for the stage driver, Walker, had so thoroughly adver- 
tised his coming with Gen. Lafayette for more than a 
week, that the people had assembled along the road, and 
awaited his coming. And when they saw the portly, 
honest Walker, driving a barouche, drawn by four horses 
with flags in their headstalls, and two carriages behind, 
they would not believe he was making a fool of himself 
and made all this show for nothing, but that the veritable 
General must be somewhere aboard, if not readily seen. 
So that, in fact, demonstrations would have been made 
had our soldier been invisible. 

But one suggestion has been made that pains me to 
state : palm off our soldier to the multitude as the veri- 
table Gen. Lafayette, and they would have been as well 
satisfied as if they had seen the real General himself. As 
our soldier was about seventy years of age, of venerable 
appearance, and well clad, it might, perhaps, have been 
done with success. But, setting aside its dishonesty, it 
would not have been good policy, for in time it would 
have been known, and woe be to the one that did it^ — bet- 
ter have a millstone about his neck, and cast into the 
depths of the sea. 

But one thing might have been successfully done — wait 
for the Governor's escort, and follow in its wake. But 
this I was not inclined to do, as I had no sympathy with 
it. I preferred making my monotonous speeches, and 
these could be short ; and I was not compelled to endure 
the still more irksome task of hearing any speeches in 
reply. 

In about an hour and a half the General arrived at Me- 
thuen ; and after a half hour of hand-shaking, salutes 
6 



42 

and speeches, our carriages were at the (h)()r, all ahoanl, 
and we on our way. My soldier then took a seat in the 
stage coach, and the General in the barouche with me. 

Innnediatch', T stated to the General the dilenuna I had 
been in, and the many s})eeche8 I had to make on account 
of his absence ; but as he was now present, I felt entirely 
relieved, for I should only be required to hear speeches, 
and not make them. lie laughed heartily at the joke the 
Governor had unwittingly put upon me, and then said, 
that he too had made many speeches on the routc^ to ]Me- 
thuen — perhaps not so many in number as 1 had, for at 
some of the crossings, where a few t)nly assembled, he 
only tendered his thanks, and passed on ; but he supposed 
that some of his might have been longer, especially at 
Andovcr ; but he was willing to call speech-making even ; 
and now, as you have got your hand in, why not alternate 
me in speech-making on the remainder of the route to 
Concord? This was said with such a comical face, that 1 
could not but join him in a hearty laugh ; for it was well 
knoAvn to him, as well as myself, that the desire to see 
and hear him was so intense that tlie n)ost ehxjuent man 
that ever lived woidd not be tolerati-d a moment as his 
substitute. 

Our acquaintance, thus facetiously begun, was contin- 
ued in a free, frank and easy manner; on the route, at 
Pembroke, where we staid over night, and at all conven- 
ient times at (\)ncord. AVe had some most glorious chats ; 
for he seemed to enjoy his relief from public speeches and 
recci)tions. I was then in the full glow of early manhood, 
and delighted with him ; and when he found I was really 
interested in him and his, freely imparted all I wished t(» 
know. He had a keen eye to all he saw, and gave atten- 
tion to all he heard, yet we found time for interesting 
chats about levohitionarv times, his family, and his trip 
through the country. On my part, 1 was the editor of a 



43 

newspaper at Concord, and fairly posted in the affairs of 
the State and Xation, and could generally give him all the 
information he desired. He wished to know about the 
reception at Concord, and what was expected of him ; 
and I gave him all the desired information. 

We found the scenes on the route in Massachusetts re- 
I)roduced in New Hampshire ; for at all the hotels, stores, 
villages and cross-roads, multitudes had assembled to 
greet him as he came. It was in the rosy month of June, 
and roses were abundant, especially in and about om- car- 
riage, in the shape of wreaths and bouquets. At times, 
our carriage became so much encumbered, that we had to 
throw them overboard — in solitary places. 

When about to meet a crowd for the first time, I asked 
fur instructions. He said, "I wish you would speak to 
the driver to move slow in this crowd ; stop near the cen- 
tre, and not start till bidden." I can only say that, all 
along the route, he was greeted by men, women and 
children ; and babies were presented for him to take in 
his arms and kiss. At one place, a comely, middle-aged 
lady became so enthusiastic that she pressed forward, put 
her arm around his neck and gave him a fervent kiss on 
the cheek. The General, nothing daunted, returned the 
compliment. Two things I recollect — one was, that I 
had no objection to be in the General's place ; and the 
other was, that the air rung with loud shouts of applause. 
All along the route, the General would rise in his car- 
riage, wave his hat, and return thanks for the attentions 
shown him ; but he made no formal address until he 
reached Concord. 

At Derry Centre Village, the Rev. Dr. Dana was in- 
troduced to him ; and at his request, the General visited 
a ladies' school near by, kept by Miss Grant. The Doc- 
tor introduced the General to the teacher and spoke a few 
words in regard to the school. A hundred and one fair, 



44 

fresh and healthy young ladies composed the school, all 
dressed alike, each having on a white dress, a blue sash 
around the waist, and a full-blown rose in the hair. They 
all arose when we entered, and, at a signal, formed round 
in single file before the General ; and each one, as her 
name was announced by the teacher, took him by the 
hand. The General made a few remarks in commenda- 
tion of the teacher and scholars, and we retired. 

As we came out to our carriage, an excited youth was 
ringing the meeting-house bell with all liis might, and at 
the same time intensely gazing at the General ; but as we 
passed on, he could not keep the bell-rope in hand and see 
the General. He then, dropped the rope and stood out 
with lifted hands, intensely gazing. But the l)ell stopj)ed. 
The General shook his sides and said : "That boy thinks 
the bell is as enthusiastic as he is, and will keep on ring- 
ing while he is looking." 

We w^ere to dine at the Hotel in the lower A'illage of 
Deny, on the turnpike, a mile away. When we came to 
the ]>row of the hill overlooking the village, we beheld 
what an excited clergyman might call " a section of the 
day of judgment." Small and great were indeed there, 
forming a multitude far exceeding anything we had seen 
on the route. As we approached, the cannon on the hill 
beyond began to utter their deep-toned voices ; bands 
played, flags waved, and the sound of many voices was 
heard in shouts of welcome. The Irish blood was up, 
and ringing voices betokened healthy lungs, and the shouts 
were overwhelming. 

The crowd gave way as we a})proached the door of the 
Hotel, and we entered. AV^hile we were in the wash-room, 
a message came that the feelings of the people were so 
intense to see the General, that they begged to see him 
before he sat down to dinner. As he consented, we went 
out on to the upper porch, and I announced (iEXEKAL 



45 

Lafayette. The shout was repeated, if possible louder 
than before ; and when we were about to retire, a revolu- 
tionary veteran stepped out a pace or two in front of the 
crowd, and with a loud voice made an impromptu speech. 
The General made a short reply, bowed, and took his 
leave. At the table, the General said, that was one of 
the best speeches he had heard since he came to America — 
short, pungent, patriotic, and to the point. 

The Hall was large, and tables all full ; and many of 
the yeomanry had the pleasure of dining with General 
Lafayette. 

Our route lay through Suncook Tillage, at the South 
end of Pembroke. There, Major (.^aleb Stark, son of 
Major General John Stark, lived ; and as he had a slight 
acquaintance with General Lafayette in the revolutionary 
war, had written to him a request that he would call at his 
house, as he very much wished to see him and introduce 
him to his family. We called, and on introducing him to 
the General, he seized his hand, and began an animated 
speech about revolutionary times, which did not seem soon 
to terminate. His family was standing on the opposite 
side of the room waiting to be introduced ; but he seemed 
to have forgotten them. I was acquainted with the Ma- 
jor, but not with his family, and could not introduce them 
myself. In this dilemma, the spirited Miss Harriet Stark, 
no longer able to l^rook delay, came forward, seized Gen- 
eral Lafayette's hand, and said : " Permit me to introduce 
myself to you as the eldest daughter of Maj. Caleb Stark, 
with whom you are talking, and the grand-daughter of 
Major-General John Stark, the hero of Bennington ; and 
now, permit me to introduce you to my mother, brothers 
and sisters ;" which she did, with her usual promptness 
and energy. 

When we were seated in the carriage. Gen. Lafayette 
said : ' ' Miss Harriet Stark does indeed inherit all the fire 



46 

and spirit of her grandfather, and woidd have been a 
heroine had she lived in the exciting scenes of revolution- 
ary times." 

Near the close of a beautiful summer's day, one of the 
longest in the year, we entered upon the long main street 
of Pembroke. The sun, having moved round his long 
circle in the sky, was resting in crimson robes on the 
Western hills, and soon retired for the night. Not so 
Pembroke village ; that was wide awake, and gave the 
General as enthusiastic a welcome as he had received any- 
where on the route. Sometimes, it seemed, the less the 
numbers the greater the zeal. 

We had used due diligence and travelled rapidly when 
not hindered ; but our coming had been so well advertised 
by the well-known Walker, the stage driver on the route, 
that it was known to all people, far and near. And so it 
was, that we were not only detained at villages, hotels 
and cross-roads, but even at a single cottage. Our ap- 
proach seemed to have been watched ; and, at the report 
of a musket or bugle blast, people would rapidly appear 
from their lounging places, where none were visible be- 
fore ; and the General must needs pause a moment, take 
by the hand those near by, and speak a few words. In- 
fancy and age were alike presented, and the halt and the 
lame were sitting in easy chairs before tlie cottage doors. 
At one of tliese cottages an invalid old lady, "cadaverous 
and pale," was brought by two men. In her armed clialr, 
to the carriage ; she seized the (lenerars hand with both 
of hers, and with tearful eyes, exclaimed " liless the 
Lord!" 

At Fiske's hotel, on the Main street of Pembroke, five 
miles from Concord, we rested for the night. A large 
concourse of people gave the (General a hearty welcome, 
and sliook hands with hlin, and \\v made a short speech. 
On my suggesting to the most active men, tliat the Gen- 



47 

«.'ral had had a long and fatiguing day, and needed rest; 
the people promptly retired, and Pembroke village could 
•never have been more quiet. 

After supper, the General leaned back in his easy chair, 
and said he should sleep better if he sat up an hour before 
retiring for the night ; and he agreed that I might sit up 
with him and have a pleasant chat. I did but little more 
than make suggestions and ask questions, all of which he 
readily and courteously answered. The conversation re- 
lated to himself, family, revolutionary times, and his trip 
through the country. So interested I became, that I took 
no note of time, and am fearful that I kept him up too 
long ; but he did not seem to be weary or impatient. Of 
this, and other conversations I had with him, I shall al- 
lude to before I close ; but I recollect our evening's con- 
versation wound up by his saying that T was the most in- 
quisitive man he had found in America ; but 1 seemed so 
much interested in him and his, that it was with pleasure 
he had given me the information I desired. 

Wednesday, June 22, 1825, was the memorable day of 
his reception at Concord. A committee of the Legisla- 
ture, consisting of Stephen P. Webster, of the Senate, 
anil four memliers of the House, came down in a coach 
and six to escort the Genei-al to Concord. Six white 
horses were attached to our barouche, Mr. Webster and 
the General aboard, and I took a seat in the stage coach 
with George Washington I^afayette. The procession 
started, and a long line of carriages followed. The pro- 
cession was met at the lower end of the Dark Plains, op- 
posite the lower l)ridge over the Merrimac river, by twenty 
Independent Companies of New Hampshire Militia, the 
whole commanded by Gen. Bradbury Bartlett, of Notting- 
ham, and the two wings by Gen. Joseph Towle of Ep- 
ping, and Col. William Kent, of (.oncord. After the 
usual salutes and (Molutions, the procession jjroceeded 



48 

under this escort, over the bridge, up Main street, around 
the old North Church, down State street to Pleasant 
street, down Pleasant street to Main street again, and up 
Main street to the gate of the State House yard. The 
General was then escorted to the Hall of the House of 
Representatives, in which were assembled the Governor, 
Council, Senate, Members of the House, Officers of the 
State, and invited guests, while the gallery was filled with 
ladies . 

Gen. Lafayette was introduced to Governor Morrill by 
Hon. Edmund Parker, ot Amherst, Chairman of the Com- 
mittee of Arrangements. Gov. Morrill arose, and gave 
him a cordial welcome in behalf of the Government and 
people of the State. To this the General very appro- 
priately replied ; and here all formality was ended, and 
each individual took him by the hand. 

In the area below, two hundred and ten revolutionary 
soldiers, with Gen. Benjamin Pierce at their head, were 
assembled to pay their respects to Gen. Lafayette. He 
was introduced to Gen. Pierce, and then he introduced 
him to each individual soldier. It was a slow process, 
and very affecting, for all shed tears, and some of them 
''sobbed aloud." Some of them were recognized as his 
companions in arms ; among whom was Lieut. Robert 
Wilkins, of Concord. He reminded the General of a 
perilous foraging expedition performed at his request, 
which he remembered, and added some particulars that 
the modesty of the Lieutenant had omitted. 

After the General had been introduced to them all, he 
came up to the centre of the line, and gave them a few 
most affectionate parting words. There was not a dry 
eye in the room ; and although I was only a looker on, I 
could not restrain my emotions. 

The General was then escorted to the dwelling house 
of (Jol. William A. Kent, on Pleasant street, which was 



49 

his headquarters while in Concord. This house was then 
the handsomest in the village, but it seems, it is removed, 
and a more modern building occupies its place. 

On the same day, a public dinner was given in honor of 
the General, under an awning in the State House yard,, 
furnished by John P. Goss of the Columbian Hotel, at 
which the revolutionary soldiers were invited and attended 
in a body. 

At this feast, speeches were made, toasts were drank 
and songs were sung. A volunteer toast was given by 
Gov. Morrill, another by Gen. Lafayette, and a third by 
his son. Two patriotic songs were furnished for the occa- 
sion — one by Col. Phillip Carigain of Concord, and the 
other by Moses L. Neal, Esq., of Dover; and both were 
well sung by John D. Abbott of Concord. But of the 
incidents and enthusiasm of this feast, why need I speak? 
Concord and the State did their duty fully, leaving noth- 
ing to be regretted or desired. 

Many conventions have been held at Concord. It has 
been honored by the visits of five Presidents of the United 
States — Washington, Munroe, Jackson, Polk and Grant ; 
and it witnessed the great "log cabin" display of 1840; 
but never was seen, on any other occasion, such a public 
display and deep-toned enthusiasm as attended the recep- 
tion of Gen. Lafayette. Words are inadequate to de- 
scribe it ; and could it be done, the present generation 
would hardly comprehend or believe it. 

Concord was then full of people, and it could hold more 
then than now, for there were more vacant lots and fewer 
houses. The streets were running over, and the vacant 
lots were full of shanties, awnings and people. The two 
cannons on the hill back of the State House vied with each 
other to see which could speak the loudest without burst- 
ing ; and the solitary church bell of the old North rang 
out its merriest peal ; and although it found no answering 
7 



50 

voice in kind, yet the martial niiisic, v^lioutt* of men and 
roar of" cannon kept it in countenance and cheered it on. 

The General took tea with Governor Morrill at his res- 
idence, dropped in to hear the X. H. Musical Society a 
few moments, and then attended a grand levee in the area 
of the State House and State House yard. The Capitol 
and surrounding buildingfs were illuminated, and a vast 
throng attended. 

At this levee, I introduced my wife and first-lK)rn child 
to the General, and announced his name to be George 
Washington. He shook hands with the wife, took the 
child in his arms, impressed a kiss on its cheek, looked at 
the mother, and then at the child ; and in a subdued, 
" still small voice," said : "I am reminded of the loved 
and the lost !" I knew it reminded him of his own be- 
loved wife ; his first-born child ; and his noble friend 
Washington — all dead! So impressive was the scene, 
that the mother wept as well as himself, and could not 
speak of it in after life without tears. An impulsive man 
of strong sympathies, like Lafayette, must needs have 
deep sorrows, as well as great joys. 

The evening woimd up by another levee at Col. W. A. 
Kent's. This was designed more especially for the accom- 
modation of the ladies and gentlemen of Concord. The 
house, street and surrounding buildings were so well 
illuminated that it was as lifjlit as dav in and around it. 
I stood in the ample portico by the hour to see the anx- 
ious throng pressing forward to take by the hand and pay 
their res[)ects to the Nation's Guest. Men, women and 
children, high, low, rich and poor, with one intent, came 
and went in one continuous throng till late into night. 
It was interesting to see the contrast between the comers 
and goers. The comers ])ressed forward with hurried step 
and anxious face ; while the goers moved along with quiet 
step and satisfied air to tiieir respective homes. This re- 



51 

markable levee was more than half a century ago, and 
few indeed survive tliat attended it. 

The next morning, the General took his departure for 
Portland, Maine. He was escorted by Col. Andrew 
Pierce of Dover, a member of the Senate, and Col. Wil- 
liam Smith of Exeter, one of the Governor's aids. He 
went by the way of North wood and Durham, stopped at 
Dover over night, at the mansion of Hon. William Hale ; 
and the next day, went as far as Saco. He entered Port- 
land early on Saturday morning, staid there over night, 
and at 7 o'clock Sunday morning, he quietly left, on his 
return trip. He came back the same way he went, and 
staid at Northwood Svmday night. On Monday forenoon, 
at 10 o'clock, he passed through the main street of Con- 
cord again and dined at the Phoenix Hotel. In all his 
trip, due honors were paid him, and his receptions were 
most cordial and enthusiastic ; can well be imagined and 
need not be described. 

On an interview with him, he inquired if I had pub- 
lished an account of his reception at Concord ; and being 
answered in the affirmative, he requested a copy, and said, 
he had obtained as many of the accounts of his visits as 
he well could, so that, on his return to France, he might 
live the scenes over again, and call to mind the many 
valued friends he had left behind. On handing him a 
copy, he gave it to his Secretary; and so, I suppose, a ■ 
copy of the ' ' New Hampshire Statesman " is quietly rest- 
ing in the library of Lagrange. 

On Monday, June 27, 1825, a six-horse stage coach 
for General Lafayette and suite, and a two-horse carriage 
for baggage, were at the front yard gate of the Capitol. 
I staid by the carriages, while the General went up into 
the State House to take leave of the Legislature, then in 
session. While he was gone, a controversy arose who 
should drive General Lafayette. It was deemed such an 



52 

lienor to drive a carriage with the General aboard, that it 
was sought for with great zeal. It appeared that the 
Northern line out of Concord, having the newest and 
most elegant coach, had fui-nished that ; and the Southern 
line, by which he was to travel, had furnished the horses. 
Through the intervention of the stage agent, a compro- 
mise was made — the Northern man should drive one relay 
of horses, and the Southern man the remainder of the 
route. 

Just at this time, Dr. Dixi Crosby of Gilmanton, after- 
wards professor at Hanover, came in great haste to be 
introduced to the General before his departure. I went 
with him to the State House, and met the General at the 
steps. After an introduction, we passed down the walk 
to the carriages. The General put his arm around me, 
pressed me to his side, gave a cordial invitation to visit 
Lagrange, took his seat in the coach, waved his hand, and 
I saw him no more. Let it not be supposed that tlie 
General took leave of me in a manner unusual to him ; 
for that was his mode of taking leave where he had be- 
come well acquainted ; and was precisely the way he took 
leave of the Massachusetts Governor's aid at Methuen. 

The driver on the box of a splendid coach, six elegant 
horses and harnesses to match, flags each side of the stage 
box and flags on tlie horses' head-stalls, with Gen Lafay- 
ette aboard, stretched himself up proudly erect, gatliered 
up his ribbons, six in hand, cracked his whip and was off* 
at a bound. It seemed that the horses felt the excitement 
of the hour, for they bounded down ^lain street, u[t 
Pleasant street, and over the Asylum Hill at full speed, 
and soon were lost to sight. 

The General's route lay through Hopkintoii, ^^'arncr 
and Claremont in New Hampshire, and Windsor, Mont- 
pelier and Burlington in Vermont. He spent the Fourth 
of July at Albany, took a steamer for the city of New 



53 

York, and from thence went to Washington City. John 
Quincy Adams was then President of the United States, 
and on his invitation General Lafayette made his home at 
the White House, to rest, for rest he really needed after 
takino- such an excitinff and laborious tour throuo-h the 
24 States of the Union. A Roman General might well 
endure a triumph for a day ; but who can stand a triumph 
for hundreds of days in succession? 

When the General signified his desire to return to 
France, the new frigate Brandy wine, named in honor of 
the battle of Brandy vrine, in which he bravely fought and 
was wounded, was brought round to the Navy Yard at 
Washington, fully equipped for sea, and all things need- 
ful for his comfort put on board. It was a new ship, just 
finished, and had never tried its wings on the ocean. 

On the 6th day of September, 1825, the birthday of 
General Lafayette, at the Eastern steps of the White 
House, President John Quincy Adams, in presence of the 
officers of the Government and a vast concourse of ladies 
and gentlemen, bid the Nation's Guest a final farewell, in 
one of the most touching and eloquent addresses that had 
been delivered to him in all his travels through the United 
States. The next day the vessel put to sea, and in due 
time arrived safely in France. His reception was most 
cordial — far different from the manner of his leaving ; for 
the Kinof of France had learned that he was a man of too 
much importance to be trifled with or abused. But re- 
tributive justice, in time, was measurably done ; for the 
arrogant King, who abused when he could, and decently 
treated when he must, in the three days' revolution of 
1830 was deprived of his power, despised and disowned, 
and had to flee his country to save his own life. General 
Lafayette's family met him at Havre, where he landed, 
and his tenants flocked round him as he drew near La- 
grange, and gave him a most cordial welcome. 



54 

Thus came and thus went the f^allant hero, General 
Lafayette. It seems, that he h^ft France in a })rivate 
vessel, empty handed, insulted and oppressed ; and re- 
turned in a national shij), with flags of two great nations 
flying at the main peak, mizzen and fore, heavy laden and 
triumphant. 

As General Lafayette came here on the 15th of August, 
1824, and returned on the 8th of September, 1825, he 
remained here one year and twenty-three days. Strike off 
the 23 days as his Sabbath of rest, and it was more than 
that ; and as the number of States was then 24, just 
double the months in a year, it would give him just half 
a month to visit each State, provided he equally divided 
his time. But as the larger States, like New York and 
Virginia, required more than his average time, he could 
devote but a few days to the smaller states. lie devoted 
less than a week each to Maine, New Hampshire and 
Vermont. 

But when it is considered that he continually visited 
schools, academies, factories, public buildings, libraries, 
legislatures, and many of the curiosities of the country ; 
and then went through a continual round of receptions, 
dinners and speeches, and travelled thousands of miles 
over this extended country, often in stage coaches, over 
hills and rough roads, it is a marvel that he visited the 
twenty-four States of the Union in the time and manner 
he did, and live. There were, indeed, steamboats and 
canal boats in those days, and he occasionally made use of 
them on the Eastern and Western waters ; l)ut not to any 
great extent, as they did not often move in the direction 
he wished to travel. And during all this time he carried 
on a voluminous corres})ondence, which caused him not a 
little trouble and fatigue, notwithstan<ling he had the ser- 
vices of an efficient private secretary. 

While he was here he had the pleasure of hearing some 



55 

of our greatest orators of the time — Henry Clay, at Wash- 
ington city ; Prof. Edward Everett, at Cambridge Col- 
lege, Daniel Webster, at Bunker Hill, and last, though 
not least, President John Quincy Adams, at the Capitol. 
Many other patriotic and eloquent speeches he must have 
heard, as well as many tedious and dull ones. But many 
speeches, tedious or otherwise, addressed to him day after 
day, and to which he must needs make a reply, must 
have been exceedingly trying to the nerves, and it is a 
marvel that he sustained himself as well as he did. 

Thus ftir, I have endeavored to give my recollections of 
General Lafayette's visit to this country in 1824 and '25. 
It is more thku half a century ago, and I have to trust to 
my minutes, memory, and recollections of others ; and 
may, therefore, be sometimes mistaken in my facts ; yet 
the exciting scenes of the time are so strongly impressed 
on my mind that most of the transactions here recited 
seem as fresh and vivid as the events of yesterday. T was 
then, as now, a great admirer of General Lafayette. I 
deem him one of the greatest patriots of the age in which 
he lived ; yea, one of the greatest patriots of any age. 
We fouo-ht for our own countrv, firesides and friends. lie 
left the the warm precincts of Lagrange, a beautiful and 
beloved wife, and against the remonstrance of friends and 
king, fitted out a vessel at his own expense, and sailed 
three thousand miles away to fight the battles of another 
country, struggling for existence and against powerful 
odds. He could not hope for fame — hardly success ; and 
yet he hazarded his life, spent his substance and time, 
most disinterestedly and nobly, throughout our Eevolu- 
tion, without compensation or reward. No wonder at the 
great enthusiasm at his presence, for not a few at that day 
knew of his great services and merits. And should I be 
accused of exaggeration in describing the scenes of the 
time, I can only say, that I feel, language is all too poor 
fully to describe the scenes as they actually occurred. 



56' 

I turn back half a century in the course of time, and 
imagine niyt^elf standing in the presence of Lafayette ; and 
the exciting scenes pass in rapid review before me ; and 
hear, or seem to hear, the shouts of welcome along the 
streets, and the booming of cannon echoing from the sur- 
rounding forests and hills. And I feel much like the 
veteran soldier of many battles, who recounts the perilous 
conflicts of early days, and stretches up his unpliant limbs, 
"shoulders his crutch to show how fields are won." Will 
it be said that words and sounds are wind? Granted, but 
wind is one of the most pow^erful elements of nature — it 
prostrates forests and tears to atoms the dwellings of men. 
Let him that doubts the potency of sound turn to the 
Bible and there learn that the tooting of ramshorns 
tumbled down the walls of Jericho. 

If any young man desires to live a useful life and per- 
form noble deeds, in spite of all opposition, let him un- 
buckle his vest, expand his chest, inflate his lungs, and 
give an explosion worthy of the days of Layayette. No 
one knows his powers till he tries them, and noble deeds 
are never done without an attempt. 

The triumphant tour of Gen. Lafayette through all the 
States of the Union, at the time and under the circum- 
stances, was the most remarkable in the history of the 
world. President Munroe was the last of revolutionary 
heroes, and the people were much divided in regard to his 
successor. ^Members of Congress nominated William IL 
Crawford, of Georgia ; conventions in the States nomi- 
nated John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts, Henry Clay 
of Kentucky, and Gen. Andrew Jackson of Tennessee — 
four candidates, and all alike professed republicans ; the 
contest was, therefore, more personal than political, and 
s})irited, sharp, and oftentimes severe. The election, in 
November, resulted in no choice by the peo})le ; and the 
House of Representatives, voting by States, elected John 



57 

Qulncy Adams by a majority of one vote, he having 13 
out of the 24, and vras inaugurated President on the 4th 
of March, 1825. Now, during this severe conflict. Gen. 
Lafayette visited the United States, and passed through 
the entire Union in such a succession of triumphs that 
never had been conferred on mortal man before. And 
this was entirely universal ; not a discordant voice was 
heard ; for the presence of Gen. Lafayette, like oil on the 
troubled waters, hushed to rest the strife of partisan zeal, 
and all joined together as one man, and gave him all the 
glory and honor they had the ability to bestow. And this 
was not mere adulation or outside show, often rendered 
to office and power ; but from deep, heartfelt emotions ; 
and to a man who had neither office, patronage nor power. 
And those who are inclined to despair of the Republic, 
can turn with pride and hope to this bright page in our 
history and be comforted. 

And now, I proceed to relate some of the conversations 
I had with Gen. Lafayette. When I suggested to him 
that he had made so many patriotic speeches himself, and 
so many had been made to him with his approbation, and 
these would be published in France and come to the 
knowledge of the King, might he not, under some plaus- 
ible pretext, confiscate his three hundred thousand dol- 
lars and imprison him. " Ah, sir," said he, " I am well 
provided against that : I have deposited the three hundred 
thousand dollars in the United States Bank at Phila- 
delphia, there to remain, subject to my draft, and will be 
drawn only as fast as I wish to use it. The Bank has 
agreed to allow me six per cent, on the money, and send 
it as I wish to use it, without expense to me. Therefore, 
the King cannot touch that if so disposed. And as to 
annoying or imprisoning me, I have noiv no fears of that ; 
for by the time I shall have returned to France he will be 
well aware of the estimation in which I am held by my 
8 



58 

American friends, and tliat thoy will not see nie alniseJ. 
If the Kin^ sliould make an attack on me, my American 
friends would rise en masse and vindicate my rights ; and 
a war with America would dethrone him ; for the Ameri- 
can trade is all im[)ortant to the manufactures of France. 
I shall, therefore, return to France an independent man, 
financially and politically ; for my funds he cannot touch, 
and my person he dare not." 

I then inquired of him if these many great public dis- 
plays which he had witnessed for nearly a year, in which 
he had taken such an active part, had not, in a measure, 
affected his health, and whether a less ra[)id movement 
might not have been less fatiguing. He replied that rapid 
movement was his nature, and his military education had 
confirmed it as a habit. It was more irksome to a spirited 
horse to be put under the curb than to take his own nat- 
ural gait. He had, however, been compelled to travel 
foster, and more in the night, than was agreeable to him ; 
but he wished to fulfil all his engagements if he could ; 
and it was uni)k'asant to feel that multitudes ahead were 
anxiously awaiting his arrival. But delays were unavoid- 
able, and the best arrangements failed of performance, 
where men, women and children were in the programme ; 
for they could not be handled with the precision and 
promi)tness of a military company ; but he felt that all the 
executive officers had done their duty to the utmost, and 
rendered his visits as i)lcasant as })Ossible. On the whole, 
fatiguing or otherwise, he had enjoyed his trip greatly, 
and the delightful scenes through which he had passed 
could never be effaced from his memory. 

But he had learned something by experience ; toned 
down his feelings and improved every opportunity for rest. 
The display at New York took him entirely by surprise, 
especially in extent ; and was in such contrast to his leav- 
ing France, that for a time, he was completely over- 



59 

whelmed, and felt the effects of it afterwards. But since 
then , he had so much disciplined himself that he had wit- 
nessed displays as imposing, if not as extensive, with 
composure and joy. Perhaps he had over-estimated his 
power of endurance ; but he felt that he should finish his 
tour without materially impairing his constitution, and 
when he had taken his rest, find himself in his usual fair 
health. 

In 1784, more than forty years before, he had visited 
his American friends, and had a most cordial and enthusi- 
astic reception ; but that was immediately after a success- 
ful revolution ; and he met many comrades in Avar, as well 
as personal friends, and an enthusiastic meeting might be 
expected ; but after a generation had passed, and few per- 
sonal friends remained, he did not expect anything more 
than a generous and quiet welcome. He could not fully 
comprehend how services rendered nearly half a century 
before, disinterested and patriotic as they might be, should 
cause such an enthusiastic display by a people, generally, 
strangers to him, and in the heat of an excited canvass for 
the election of a President of the United States. He had 
attended these enthusiastic receptions for nearly a year, 
and had not yet fully solved the problem. Although, like 
the human countenance, they were similar, yet distin- 
guishable from each other. It had been gratifying, as 
well as surprising, to witness what the ingenuity of the 
American people could do ; and yet, there seemed to be 
so much affection, gratitude and kindness behind it all, he 
did not feel himself worthy of so much homage. Nor 
could he claim or appropriate all the honors to himself, 
but must attribute much to the cause he advocated, and the 
great love of liberty which characterized the American 
people. 

He also spoke of the appearance of the country, and the 
great contrast between his going and coming. Although 



60 

he had taken American newspapers, and made many in- 
quiries of his American visiting friends, yet he could truly 
say, the half had not been told him. In 1784, when he 
left this country, neither Florida nor Louisiana had been 
annexed, and the long tier of States on the East side of 
the Mississippi river did not exist as States, and were 
scarcely inhabited by civilized man ; and Washington City 
itself was a wilderness. He was surprised at the rapid 
improvement throughout the Western country, and the 
Eastern did not lag much behind. He marvelled greatly 
at the city of Rochester, in the State of New York. He 
said he found in the revolutionary woods a great city, so 
rapidly and recently built, that the very founders were the 
men talking to him. 

Although he had spent some of the best days of his life 
in aiding the American people to gain their independence, 
he regretted it not, but felt more than amply paid for all 
his toils and troubles, in witnessing its noble results. In 
travelling over the States of the Union, he had found 
imj)rovements fiir beyond all his expectations, and an 
intelligent, prosperous and happy people. The first thing 
he noticed on his arrival, was the absence of squalid 
poverty, the canaille, sans culottes or rabble, such a 
prominent and disagreeable feature in Europe, when the 
people assemble ew masse on great occasions. One great 
attractive feature in the public displays, was the school 
children, who api)eai'ed by hundreds and thousands, 
especially in the large cities, who were neatly clad, often 
in uniform, and appeared healthy and hapi>y. It was 
truly affecting, to hear the joyous shouts of childhood, 
ringing out shouts of welcome in tones so })iercing and 
shrill, that they could be heard above the din of the hour. 
And he often paused as he passed, rose in his carriage, 
and with deep emotion, waved his hat and hand, and 
bowed his head, in token of his appreciation of their 



61 

hearty welcomes. He found the great mass of the people, 
also, well-clad, intelligent and courteous ; and, indeed, 
he felt proud of the country ; and could see no reason 
why it sliould not improve in the future as in the past, 
and in time become one of the greatest nations on earth. 
Thus far, his anticipations have been more than realized ; 
for his 24 States have become 38, the population more 
than doubled, and the country greatly increased in size, 
l3y the addition of the large territories of Texas, New 
Mexico and California, counting Alaska nothing. 

When I sio;nified a wish or desire to know the extent 
of his sacrifices in the cause of American Independence, 
he saw at once the drift of my wishes, and said : he came 
here at first, not to make money, but to spend it. His 
income was then , counting that of Lagrange with his large 
estates in the South of France together, more than thirty- 
seven thousand dollars a year ; and he made up his mind 
to spend every dollar that could be spared in the cause of 
American Independence. But his income, though ample 
for an individual, was of but little account in a great war. 
His greatest services, therefore, he had rendered were in 
persuading others, especially the Courts of Spain and 
France, to furnish the needful munitions of war. His 
importunity sometimes had been so great, that the King 
of France said to his ministers in his presence, that he 
thought Lafayette would strip the palace of Versailles of 
its furniture to clothe the American army ; and he curtly 
replied, ' ' / icould." 

I then said, that a member of Congress had publicly 
stated, in the House, that he had spent, of his own money, 
a hundred and forty thousand dollars in the cause of the 
xVmerican revolution, and had never taxed a dollar for his 
great services in the cause. "Ah, well," he said, " I 
never stopped to count the dollars ; and others may know, 
perhaps, as much about it as I do ; but this I know, that 



62 

whatever it was, it went freely nnd never for a moment 
regretted; but I gloried then, as I do now, that I have 
made so good a use of what fortune had placed within my 
control. And as to my own services, whether great or 
small, I never taxed or received a dollar for them, either 
in the American or French revolutions.*' 

I then said to him, that in some of his speeches he had 
said, or intimated, something like a desire or intention of 
returning to this country and spending the remainder of 
his days with us. He said that in the excitement of some 
of his receptions, he had, probably, intimated something 
of the kind, for it was painful to think of leaving so many 
valued friends forever, to meet them no more upon earth ; 
l>ut prudence dictated to him the propriety of remaining 
in the milder climate of France in his old age ; nor should 
he feel so much at home anywhere in the world as at La- 
grange. And the attachment between himself and family 
was mutual, and they would never consent to leave 
France. He had then four children : Anastasia, Virginia 
and Carolina, his daughters ; and George Washington 
Lafayette, his only son ; and a larger number of grand- 
children. They were all united in one liarmonious house- 
hold, and could not be separated while life lasted. His 
first-born daughter, Henriettc, died wliile he was here in 
the American revolution. It was a sad affliction to him ; 
still greater, if possil)le, to the mother ; and he was sorely 
tempted to return home and comfort her all he could, but 
stern duties here forbade. 

But there were other reasons besides these why he 
should not reside here. The enthusiasm now was too 
great to last. In time it must come down to the realities 
of everyday life. Should he live here, he nmst have his 
associates and friends. In a Republic there would always 
be two parties, at least, and should he join one, he would 
offend the other ; if he joined neither he would offend 



63 

both. And then, as he had always been a frank and out- 
spoken man, his position in society might not be altogether 
pleasant ; and he had a feeling that he still might be of 
some service to his native France. 

And, moreover, he should most sadly miss his noble 
friend, Washington, and his wife. Although he had paid 
his devoirs at Mount Vernon and ' ' wept full sore " at their 
tomb, they never could be restored to him upon earth ; 
and he should miss them more here, where he had been 
accustomed to see them, than at his home in France. No 
man could feel more grateful than himself for the great 
favors bestowed and the kind feelings expressed, and he 
should leave America sorrowing that stern necessity re- 
quired that he should take a last farewell of so many 
noble, generous and devoted friends. 

His friendship for Washington, he said, could not be 
expressed by words. It was the friendship of David and 
Jonathan repeated. Although double his own age, and 
more sedate and less impulsive, yet their cordial intimacy, 
in the Ions; and vexing scenes of the revolution, had never 
been disturbed. Although unlike, they were in agreement 
with each other. If he had at any time been a spur to 
Washington, more often he had Iseen a curb to himself. 
Washington had been censured for his want of energy in 
the prosecution of the war, but he thought, wrongfully. 
He could not do as he would for the lack of means, and 
could not disclose to the public his destitution without in- 
forming the enemy also ; and at times, had the enemy 
known his condition, it would have been fatal. 

Washington did not lack energy, but it was regulated 
by prudence. He never made long speeches to his army, 
or boasted of what he had done, or was about to do ; and 
yet, when thoroughly aroused, the stoutest heart would 
quail before him. He had been his aid, when he mounted 
his charger on the eve of a battle, rode round the army, 



took his position in front, wliile his soldiers passed in re- 
view before liim, and then wave an adieu with liis hat, 
and not a word spoken ; yet his face would glow with 
emotion, ajid his appearance and bearing were more })0w- 
erful than words. His soldiers understood him, and were 
ready to fight to the utmost ; and woe to the foe they en- 
countered. 

General Lafayette's suggestion that he might yet be of 
some service to his native France seemed rather prophetic, 
for in the three days' revolution of 1830 he was called to 
the command of the National Guards, and through his 
influence Louis Philippe was chosen Citizen King, peace 
was restored, and the revolution ended without bloodshed. 
Although the people clamored for a Re})ublic, and would 
have made him Chief Magistrate, yet he did not deem 
this best for France ; and having no ambition for power, 
he respectfully but firmly declined. 

When speaking of the incidents of the revolutionary 
war, the General said, one of the most painful duties he 
had to perform was to sit on the court martial that tried 
and condemned Major Andre. He appeared to be a gal- 
lant oflficer, and not intentionally a spy ; but as he did 
come within the American lines to induce an American 
oflficer to commit treason, he was by military law a spy, 
and had to be condenmed. Gen. Washington was not 
disposed to deal harshly with him, and permitted him to 
use his best efforts to get him exchanged for Gen. Arnold ; 
l)ut tliat proved vmsuccessful. Washington signed his 
death warrant in tears, and appointed the day of his ex- 
ecution. When that arrived, it was postponed in the 
hope that something would occur to relieve the stern ne- 
cessity of his execution. As nothing in his favor appeared, 
Major Andre, at last, was executed on the ■2d of October, 
17S0, and died as he had lived, a brave man. His death 
was a sad blow to his mother and three sisters ; for he 



r 



65 

was the favorite of the family, who were mainly depen- 
dent on him for support. The King of England, how- 
ever, granted the mother a pension, which placed them in 
comfortable circumstances. 

After the war. Gen. Arnold, with his usual effrontery, 
called upon the family of Maj. Andre, at their residence, 
in London. The answer was crisp : "Good looking, or 
otherwise, he could not be admitted ; they did not wish to 
see a traitor" Although the British people accepted the 
treason, they despised the traitor, and he had no friends 
among decent people where he lived, any more than in 
his native country. 

The General said that Washington, Hamilton and 
Knox, as well as himself, had great compassion for Gen. 
Arnold's young wife ; for they believed her innocent of 
the treason. But from an investigation of the subject 
since, I think they were all mistaken, for I believe she 
was, in fact, the prime mover of the whole matter. And 
my reasons are, that she belonged to a decided tory family 
in Philadelphia. And when the British army occupied 
that city, her father's house was a resort of the British 
officers, and they were welcome guests at all times, es- 
pecially Maj. Andre. Miss Shippen (Arnold's wife) and 
Maj. Andre were intimate friends, and much in each 
other's company before her marriage, and they corres- 
ponded both before and after that event ; and, undoubt- 
edly through her. Gen. Arnold was induced to enter into 
a negotiation with her early favorite. But what renders 
the fact of guilt in the treason certain is her own confes- 
sion. On her way to Philadelphia, she stopped at tlie 
residence of Mrs. Prevost, who became the wife of Aaron 
Burr, and there confessed the whole matter. She said 
she was glad to throw off the mask and assume her true 
character before her intimate friend ; for she had induced 
and helped plan the negotiation with Maj. Andre, and was 
9 



66 

sadly disappointed at its failure ; as, had it been success- 
ful, she and her husband would have taken a high position 
in the British Government, and possessed a fortune. 

In regard to Maj. Andre, I inquired of the General if 
he had any interviews with him, and had learned anything 
of his early history. He said he had not ; other matters 
of greater importance occupied his time, and he knew 
nothing in particular in regard to Maj. Andre and his 
family. I then said I could post him up in the matter to 
some extent, for in 1821, when the Duke of York caused 
his I'emains to be removed from Tappan, and placed in 
Westminster Abbey, and a mural slab placed there to his 
memory, I gathered up some fragments of his life, and 
wrote a short sketch at the time, which was published. 

It appeared that Maj. John Andre was born in London, 
in 1751 ; but his parents were from Geneva, in Switzer- 
land, and he was sent there for his education. On his re- 
turn he entered a London counting-house, but at the early 
ajje of eighteen he formed a romantic attachment for a 

CI cJ 

beautiful lady by the name of Honora Sneyd, who returned 
his passion, and they became engaged. But the father of 
the lady interfered, and the premature match was broken 
off. Andre then abandoned the counting-house and en- 
tered the army. His first commission is dated ]\Iarch 4, 
1771, and he went to (iermany, and did not return to 
England till 177H, still haunted by his passion. But, in 
the meantime, his lady-love had been induced to marry 
another person, for she had become the second wife of 
Richard L. Edge worth, the father of the celebrated ]Miss 
Maria Edge worth. In 1774, Maj. Andre came to Amer- 
ica as Lieutenant of the Royal English Eusileers, and 
was captured early in the war, with other officers, by 
Gen. Montgomery. After his exchange, he was ap- 
pointed by Sir Henry Clinton, Adjutant-General of the 
British army with the rank of Major, and served under 
him until his death. 



67 

His romantic attachment followed him through life, and 
after his captm*e, he wrote to a friend that he had been 
stripped of everything but the miniature of Honora, which 
he painted in 17(39, and which he concealed when he was 
searched; and added, "possessing that, I yet think my- 
self fortunate." He was personally pleasing, and gentle- 
manly in his bearing, and naturally of a festive and ro- 
mantic disposition. He often indulged himself in poetry ; 
much of which seems to have been induced by his early 
love. He designated himself as Damon, and his lost lady 
as Delia. In early life I used to hear said, or sung : — 

" Return, enraptured hours, 
" When Delia's heart was mine," &c. 

And then again — 

" Ah ! Delia, see the fatal hour; 

Farewell, my soul's delight. 
O, how can wi'etched Damon live, 

When banished from thy sight ! " 

His varied and graceful talents and eno-ao-ino; manners 
rendered him a general favorite, both in the army and 
among the people. He was the prime mover of all the 
elegant amusements in camp and garrison. He also in- 
dulged in writing poetical squibs or lampoons on the 
i\.merican army. His propensity for caricature had re- 
cently been indulged in a mock heroic poem, in three 
cantos, celebrating an attack upon a British picket by 
Gen. Wayne, and the driving into the American camp a 
drove of cattle by Lee's dragoons. It was written in 
great humor and grotesque imagery, and represented that 
Mad Anthony lost liis horse on that "great occasion." 
Three cantos were printed at different times in Riving- 
ston's Gazette ; and it so happened that the last canto 
was printed the very day of Andre's capture ; and ended 
with the followine' ominous lines : — 



"And now I doso my epic strain. 

And ti-fmble as I show It ; — 
Lost this same warrior-drover Wayui- 

Should ever cat eh thr poet." 

His tistrong proiioiKsity t'or the hulicriMis did not forsnko 
him, ovoii in his prison; tor lio aimisod himsolf in makino- 
a hidiiM-ons skotcli of hinisolt" and his rnstio escort nndor 
march, and prosontcd it to tlio otiiccr in attonihmco, and 
pK^asantlv said, "Tliis will o-ivo you an idea of the style 
in which 1 had the honor of hcino; conducted to my pres- 
ent abode." 

Whether I said all this, less or more, I cannot recollect, 
l>nt I do remember that the (iencral said in reply that he 
was 51 verv pleasant, oentlemanly man : very ])opnlar in 
the American camp as well as in the British, and that he 
was very frank on his trial — so nuich so, that it was not 
needful for the Judge Aihocate to produce any witnesses. 
Hamilton was almost in daily intercourse with him, and 
deemed him a well educated ovntleman, improved by 
travel, and of some proticiency in poetry, music and the 
tine arts. 

Hut I do not know how to give the publii' any better 
idea of the feelings, public and private, in regard to Maj. 
Andre, at the time of his trial and execution, than what 
is contained in a letter from General Tallmadge to C'ol. 
Webb, one of AVashington's aids. The letter says : 
" Poor Andre, who has been imder my charge almost 
ever since he was taken, had yesterday his trial : and 
though his sentence is not known, a disgraceful death is 
undoubtedly allotted him. By heavens ! (\)1 Webb, I 
never saw a man whose fate I foresaw, whom 1 so sin- 
cerelv pitied. He is a young man of the greatest accom- 
plishments, and was the prime minister of 8ir Harry 
Clinton on all occasions. He has unbosomed his heart to 
me so fully, and, indeed, let me kno^V almost every motive 
of his actions since he came out on his late mission, that 



69 

li(; liaH endeared ine t(j him cxceedinf^ly. Unfortunate 
injiii I lie will undoubtedly .suffer death to-morrow ; 
and thoujxh he known hi.-* fate, seems to be as cheerful as 
if 1h; were going to an assembly! I am sure, he will go 
to the gallows less fearful for his fate, and with less con- 
cern than I shall behold the tragedy. Had he been tried 
by a court of ladies, he is so genteel, handsome, polite a 
young gentleman, that I am confident they would have 
acquitted him. liut enough of Maj. Andre, who, though 
he dies lamented, falls justly." 

" Never has any man, suffering under like circumstan- 
ces, awakened more universal sympathy, even among those 
of the country against which he had practiced, than Maj. 
Andre. His story is one of the touching themes of the 
revolution ; and his name is still spoken of with kindness 
in the local traditions of the neighborhood whers he was 
caj)tured." 

What a contrast between him and General Arnold I for 
the latter was despised when living and execrated when 
dead — and justly. Although he fought like a tiger in 
};attle, yet his courage partook more of the nature of a 
reckless robber than a truly brave man. And as to treach- 
ery- and meanness, he had no equal. When his innocent 
coxswain and six bargemen vigorously plied the oar at his 
bidding, and put him safely aboard the British ship, he 
coolly turned round and gave them up as prisoners of 
war I A fittinj; climax to his hijfh treason I But when 
the facts became known to Sir Henry Clinton, he ordered 
the barge given up and the men released at once ; and so 
they manned the boat and returned to their kindred and 
friends, in sj)ite of the mean treachery of their late com- 
mander. 

.\ romance has been thrown around the memory of 
Maj. Andre, which seems to increase with the progress of 
years ; while the name of Arnold will stand conspicuous 



70 

to the end of time, as the only American officer of note 
who })rove(l traitor to tlie fi;hirioiis cause of liis country. 

Mrs. Arnold, on her arrival at her father's liome in 
Philadel})hia, was immediately warned by the Executive 
Council that she could not remain there. .Vlthough her 
father, herself and connections tried every means to have 
her remain, under a solemn pledge not to correspond with 
her husband ; yet, so fully did the Council believe her 
equally guilty with her husband, tliat her request was 
firmly denied, and go she must. She was sent at once to 
her husband at New York city. She feared insult and 
injury on the way, but her fears were groundless. While 
the whole country resounded with execrations of her hus- 
band, and his effigy was dragged through village streets 
.and burnt at the stake, or hung on a gallows, she passed 
the whole distance without injury or insult. Indeed, so 
scrupulous were the populace not to make war on a de- 
fenceless woman, that on her arriving at a village at night- 
fall, where they had prepared to burn her husband's effigy, 
they forebore, returned to their homes and left the wife or 
traitor to sleep in peace. 

Once, only, she visited Philadeliihia again, and that was 
about five years after her exile. And although the war 
was over and peace established, yet she was treated with 
such scorn and neglect, that her stay was short ; she left 
in disgust, and declared she would never come there 
again. She was a woman of fine personal appearance, 
good education and many attractions, and tried hard to 
sustain a fair social position for herself and luisband in 
England ; but only with })artial success ; for her husband 
was generally "slighted and sometimes insulted." She 
died in London in the Winter of 1796. 

I then said, the course he took in the French Revolution 
was an enigma to some of our ])eo])le, for they did not 
distinctly imdcrstand what he would have done had he the 



71 

power. He said, he supposed it might be so, especially 
to those not well versed in the events of the time ; but he 
could readily explain it. He was not, under the circum- 
stances, for a Republic. He thought the people of France 
were not in a condition to form a Republican government, 
or to sustain one if made ; and after events showed that 
he was right in that opinion. He was for an improved 
and modified Monarchy. He did not wish to destroy, but 
to reform. Louis XVI. had many good qualities, but he 
lacked the needful firmness and energy for a successful 
ruler, especially for the times in which he lived. Marie 
Antoinette, the Queen, was spirited, firm and aristocratic. 
The King would seemingly yield everything ; and the 
Queen, nothing. He found himself between two fires — 
the extreme Republicans disliked him because he advocated 
a constitutional monarchy ; and the Court party, especially 
the Queen, did the same, in spite of the great services he 
had rendered them, because he advocated a reform. At 
length, the Extremists, led by Danton, Marat and Robes- 
pierre, ruled ; imprisoned the King and Queen, forbade 
the army to obey his commands, and ordered his arrest. 
Satisfied that an arrest would be fatal ; that he, like other 
prisoners, could have no fair trial, he felt compelled to 
quit France to save his life. 

The beginning of the French Revolution may be said 
to have begun at the destruction of the Bastile on the 
14th of August, 1789. The enthusiasm and power of 
the mob were so great, that this horrid citadel in Paris 
was captured in four hours, which was surrounded with 
seemingly impassable ditches, inaccessible towers, and 
ramparts covered with powerful artillery, and which had 
withstood, for twenty-three days, an army commanded 
by the great Conde. After its capture, it was demolished 
to its very foundations ; and the key \vas sent by Lafay- 
ette to Gen. Washington, who put it into a glass case ; 



72 

and probably it may be seen at Mount Vcmon at the 
present clay. Had lawless power ended witli the destruc- 
tion of the Bastile, all humane people would have been 
satisfied ; but one might as well try to direct or control a 
tempest as a lawless mob. 

On the 19th of August, 1792, he left his native land 
to seek an asylum for himself and family, until the 
" reijjn of terror" was over. At that time, he was at 
the head of the army, far away from Lagi-ange, and could 
not go there and live. But he had a hope, and even 
belief, that his wife and children would not be molested ; 
but he did not then fully realize what the madness of 
lawless mobs might do. 

He wished to come to America, but could not reach the 
sea-coast ; his only course seemed to be, to flee to some 
neutral territory, and there find an asylum, or from wlience 
he could embark for America. On reaching Rocliefort in 
Netherlands, he found himself in the neighl)orhood of an 
Austrian army. He asked for a passport tln*ough the 
country, and found a prison. He was first imprisoned at 
Luxembourg, and then placed in a common cart and, 
closely guarded, was transported to Wessel, on the Rhine, 
within the Prussian dominions. Here he was imprisoned, 
with heavy manacles locked on his hands and feet. 

Although he had kept up his courage, and determined 
to brave the worst, yet, at length, nature yielded in spite 
of all his efforts. The cold, damp air of his cell, added 
to the hardsliips he was compelled to endure, brought on 
sickness, which, for a time, precluded all hope of recov- 
ery. The hair all came off from his head, and he was 
reduced to a skeleton. In this deploral)le condition, the 
King of Prussia said he could be released from prison, if 
he would assist in conquering France. He met the mes- 
sage with the scom it merited ; and bade the officer tell 
his master he was still Lafayette. 



73 

The King, enraged at this, and annoyed at the great 
impoi'tunities from America and Europe for liis release, 
determined to send him to a more gloomy abode, out of 
his dominion. The dungeons of Wessel were not dark 
and gloomy enough to suit the monarch's malignity ; so, 
without warning, he was again hurried into a cart at 
night, and with the utmost secrecy, sent to the dungeon 
at Olmutz in Austria. Austria is always consistent with 
herself, and a fitting place for such a horrid dungeon as 
the fortress of Olmutz. While other nations have im- 
proved, she has only "marked time," and still is a dark 
spot on the face of civilized Europe. 

Olmutz is a city of 12,000 inhabitants, and a hundred 
and fifty miles from Vienna. The dungeon is on an island 
in the city, and is a relic of the dark ages. Its walls are 
of stone, twelve feet thick, and surrounded by a moat, 
more or less filled with water. Lafayette's cell had a door 
for entrance, and one window two feet square, with a 
grate outside and in. The wall was so thick that the sun 
never shone in his prison, nor could he see any outward 
objects. He always suffered from its dampness, and in 
the Winter severely by the cold. 

As he entered the cell it was announced to him that he 
never could come out again alive, nor could he hold any 
communion with the'outer world, and that his wife and 
children would never know where he was or what became 
of him. The jailers were prohibited from pronouncing 
his name, and all the prisoners must be referred to only 
by the number of their cells. And, under the pretence 
that such a state of confinement might induce suicide, he 
would not be accommodated with knives or forks. 

The dimensions of his room were about 10 by 12 feet, 

and the furniture was an old table, broken chair, and a 

sack of mouldy straw. A scanty allowance of coarse 

food was brought him twice a day. Books were excluded, 

10 



74 

and he heard no hunuin >'oice, excei)t the gruff tones of" 
the jailer. 

After Lafayette's transfer to Olmutz, all knowledge of 
the place of his confinement was excluded and unknown 
to his friends. They believed him alive somewhere in 
Prussia or Austria, and tried hard to discover his dun- 
geon. At length, after he had been imprisoned for three 
years — one at Wessel, and two at Olmutz, — a daring spirit 
assumed the task, both of finding where he was, and res- 
cuing him if possible. This was Dr. Erick Bollman, a 
young German physician, who had just finislied his edu- 
cation and obtained his des^rees. Although he had never 
seen Lafayette, and was personally unacquainted with him, 
yet he was well posted in his public career, and a great 
admirer of his character. Not having sufficient funds of 
his own for the undertaking, after selling his books, he 
procured the needful amount of a banker in Hamburg. 
Leaving Haml)urg, he assumed the character of a traveller 
in pursuit of knowledge. He soon learned that Lafayette 
had been transferred to Austria, and borne away to Ol- 
mutz. He then selected a place for a temporary retreat 
if successful, some twenty miles away, near the frontier, 
and then proceeded to Olmutz. He did not know for a 
certainty tliat Lafayette was then there, and could make 
no direct inquiry, for that would create suspicion and de- 
feat all his plans. At length, he discovered that several 
State prisoners were confined in tlie citadel of Olmutz, 
and thought it probable that Lafayette was among the 
number. Acting on this supposition. Dr. liollman visited 
the hospital in that city, and made the acquaintance of the 
first surgeon of that institution, })resuming that he also 
visited the captives in prison. He could not, however, 
ask him anything about Lafayette ; but obtained the knowl- 
edge lie desired by indirect means. 

The surgeon proved to be an ui)right and intelligent 



75 

man, of good sense and humane feelings. The acquaint- 
ance seemed to be mutually agreeable ; and after several 
interviews the conversation turned on the effect of moral 
impressions on the constitution by imprisonment, when 
Dr. Bollman abruptly drew a pamphlet from his pocket 
and remarked ; " Since we are on the subject, you attend 
the State prisoners at the Fortress, Lafayette among the 
number, and his health is much impaired. Show him this 
pamphlet, and tell him a traveller left it with you, who 
lately saw in London the persons named in it, and that 
they are as much attached to him as ever, and it will do 
him more good than all your drugs." Perceiving the sur- 
geon did not know what to reply, he changed the subject 
and soon left him. 

Calling at the hospital in a few days, the surgeon, of his 
own accord, said he had given his pamphlet to Gen. La- 
fayette, who was much pleased, and wished to know some- 
thing more of one or two friends named in it. On this, 
the Doctor, appearing to have a blank piece of paper about 
him, but prepared for the emergency, for he had written 
it all over on one side with invisible ink, (lemon juice,) 
sat down and wrote a few lines on the other side in reply 
to the inquiries, and finished by saying, "I am glad of 
the opportunity of addressing you these words, which, 
whe7i read icith your usual ^varmth, will afford to a 
heart like yours some consolation." The italic words were 
a sufficient hint to the quick-minded Lafayette ; and by 
the heat of a lamp, made the words readable on the other 
side of the paper. 

To avoid suspicion. Dr. Bollman quitted Olmutz the 
next day, visited Vienna and other places, and at length 
called on the surgeon at Olmutz, who then returned him 
the pamphlet. On examining it, he found the margin 
had been written over with invisible ink ; from which he 
learned that Lafayette, on account of feeble health, was 



76 

pennitted, on cjcrtiiin Jays, to take an airing in an open 
carriage, and tliat must be the time to release him, it" at 
all. Dr. Bollman ascertained that Lafayette had a driver 
on the box of the carriage, an officer by his side and two 
soldiers standing up behind, all armed. Deeming that too 
formidable an array to attack alone, he went to Vienna to 
find at least one coadjutor. But where could he find a 
daring spirit like liimself ? Tluis far, he had not dared to 
reveal his secret to any man ; and to whom could he re- 
veal it without an almost certainty of being betrayed? 

In this dilemma, he visited the leading hotel in Vienna, 
and there saw and became acquainted wdth a young man, 
whom he found to be of uncommon talent, decision and 
enthusiasm. This was Col. Francis Kinlock Huger, of 
South Carolina, at whose father's house Lafayette first 
lodged wdien he came to America in 1777. Francis was 
then a mere child of three years, and all he remembered 
of Lafayette was, that he used to dandle him on his knee 
when at his father's house. His father, Maj. Benjamin 
Huger, was now dead, but his mother was still alive ; and 
he, having come to his majority, was making the tour of 
Europe. Although lie had but a slight recollection of 
Gen. Lafayette, yet he had heard him so nmch spoken 
of in his family, and so well posted up in his course in 
the Revolution, tliat lie was ready to "do and dare" any- 
thing on his account. It seemed that he was providen- 
tially there at the time, for it is not probable that Dr. 
Bollman would have found any other reliable man who 
would have joined him in such a perilous attempt. Col. 
Huger at once entered into all his plans with enthusiastic 
zeal, and devoted himself to their execution. 

Two good saddle horses were at once purchased, and a 
fiithful groom to attend tliem. In this plight they entered 
Olnmtz, and put u[) at a hotel as travellers. A relay of 
horses was obtained, and the groom took them to the 



77 

place of rendezvous. On the 8tli day of November, the 
carriage wiih Lafayette was seen emerging from the town 
gate, and the rescuers followed after. They were armed 
with pistols, but loaded only with powder, for they did 
not intend to take life, and were only to be used for 
intimidation. At two or three miles from the sfate the 
carriage left the high road, and passed into a less inhab- 
ited tract and more open country. At length Lafayette's 
carriage stopped, and he and the officer got out to walk. 
The carriage, with the guard, drove on, but kept in sight. 
This was the time, no doubt, for the rescue ; and gallop- 
ing up. Dr. Bollman dismounted, seized the officer's 
sword, but before he could draw it from the scabbard, the 
officer seized it also, but still kept one hand hold of La- 
fayette. In the struggle all three came to the ground to- 
gether. Dr. Bollman had the officer by the collar, and 
held him fast : Col. Huger then dismounted, released La- 
fayette, gave him a bag of gold, mounted him on his 
horse, and he was off and out of sight in a minute. 
Wlien Lafayette was gone the strife ceased. The guard, 
instead of helping the officer, leaped from the carriage 
and ran the nearest route to the prison to give the alarm ; 
and the officer, when released, did the same. 

The rescuers, then, thought it was time to make their 
own escape ; but they had but one horse. The calculation 
had been for both to ride the same horse, and both 
mounted. But, unfortunately, they had given Lafayette 
the one they designed for that purpose, and the other 
would not carry double, reared and threw them both off. 
Ck)l. Huger then said: "This will never do. Gen. La- 
fayette wants you ; mount the horse and be off, and I will 
take care of myself." Dr. Bollman soon reached the place 
of retreat, but Lafayette was not there ! He could have 
escaped himself well enough, but would not, until he had 
ascertained what had become of General Lafayette. It 



78 

seems, he had mistaken the direction, taken the wrong 
road, fonnd no relays of horses, and rode some twenty 
miles imtil he had exhausted his horse as we!l as himself. 
The result was, that all three Avere separately, and un- 
known to each other, taken prisoners and put in separate 
prison cells. Gen. Lafayette was returned to his miser- 
able dungeon again, put in irons, and still more harshly 
treated. Three short days only had he been permitted to 
breathe the pure air of heaven ; and then, returned to his 
former dismal abode, with no hope that his sufferings 
would be ended except by death. 

Col. Husrer was chained to the floor in a small arched 
dungeon, six by eight feet, without light, and Avith only 
bread and water for food ; and once in six hours, by day 
and night, the guard would enter with a lantern, examine 
the walls and each link in his chains. To his earnest re- 
quest to know what had become of Dr. Bollman and 
General Lafayette, he received no answer. To his still 
more earnest request, that he might send to his mother in 
America, merely the words, ^'-I am alive" he received a 
rude refusal. 

Dr. Bollman was also put in chains, and conducted to 
a dismal dungeon half under ground. Only a faint light 
came in through an oblique aperture made through a thick 
wall. Neither lio-ht nor books were allowed him, and his 
food was limited to what could be procured at four cents 
a day ! The trial of Bollman and Huger was protracted 
during the whole Winter. The government proceeded 
with caution, for it was believed that others were in the 
plot, as it was not deemed hardly possible that two young 
men, unaided and alone, should, out of mere patriotic 
motives, attempt the rescue of one personally a stranger 
to them. At length, by the aid and strong efforts of 
Count Mctrowsky, a nobleman living near the prison, and 
a friend of Dr. Bollman's fiunilv, after eight months' 



79 

imprisonment, they were both released on two weeks' 
additional confinement. After their release, they left 
Austria at once, and just in time ; for in a few hours after 
they had left Olmutz, orders came from Vienna for their 
i-e-arrest ; and a second trial might have ended fatally. 
But they were out of Austria and out of the reach of the 
minions of arbitrary power. 

Col. Huger, having had enough of his European tour, 
returned, at once, to gladden the heart of his mother in 
South Carolina. She hailed him as one risen from the 
dead, for she had given him up for lost. 

In 1824, General Lafayette and Col. Huger accident- 
ally met in the city of New York. Although they had 
not seen each other for thirty years, they both recognized 
each other at once, and had a cordial meeting. Col. 
Huger accompanied the General in his trip up the Hud- 
son ; and when they returned to New York city, they 
were obliged to part. Col. Huger was on his way to 
Boston on business ; and General Lafayette, on his way 
to Washington City. The General regretted very much 
he could not return to Boston and introduce his attempted 
deliverer to his friends there. But he did the best he 
could ; for he gave him a cordial letter of introduction to 
Mayor Quincy, and begged him to show him all kind 
attentions, the same as to himself; and the Mayor did it 
handsomely, for Col. Huger Avas greatly lionized during 
his visit. 

It is not known, that Dr. Bollman and the General 
ever met after that eventful day of the rescue. In a few 
years, the Doctor came to America, became acquainted 
with Herman Blannerhassett, a countryman of his, on 
that paradise of an island bearing his name, in the Ohio 
river. There, Blannerhassett had built an elegant man- 
sion house, and surrounded it with beautiful walks, gar- 
dens and flowers. But there, the cruel spoiler came, as 



80 

in blessed Eden of old, and induced him to leave all to 
destruction, and join Col. Burr in an expedition down 
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, to colonize lands in Mex- 
ico, or treason against the United States, whichever it 
might be. C^ol. Aaron Burr and Blannerhassett were 
arrested for treason, and acquitted. Dr. Bollman joined 
his friend in the expedition, but it does not appear that 
any crime was alleged against him. He then proceeded 
to England, and became an eminent physician in London, 
published a treatise on banking and another on hygiene, 
and died there in 1821. General Lafayette met two of 
Dr. Bollman's daughters in Philadelphia in 1824, when 
on his way to Washington City. 

The Blannerhassett Island comprises an area of some 
180 acres ; is beautiful by nature, and had been much im- 
proved by art. Here the proprietor and his accomplished 
wife and interesting children resided in quiet happiness 
and peace. When the spoiler came and seduced him from 
his secluded retreat, an Ohio mob invaded the premises, 
burnt the liuildings, destroyed all the improvements, and 
laid waste the whole island. He never returned to the 
island again, l)ut after his acquittal went to his native land 
in Europe, and died there broken hearted. Wlio owns 
the island now, or the condition it is in, I have no means 
of knoAving. 

The reason why the mob invaded the island Avas because 
they believed (^ol. Biut was plotting treason, and pre- 
paring to make war on the United States, and as Blanner- 
hassett was associated with him, he was found in bad 
company, and had to suffer the consequences, guilty or 
not. 

It seems to us strange, that the rescue of Lafayette, so 
sagaciously jilanned and promptly executed, should be 
productive of such sad results. It may well be asked, 
why General Lafayette, an invalid as he was, should be 



81 

sent off alone, through a strange country, with only slight 
directions, hastily given. Had it been successful, it would 
have saved two years of agony that cannot be imagined, 
much less described. His fetters were so closely fastened 
to his ancles as to cause great pain ; the iron band around 
his waist had a chain attached to it, and fastened to the 
wall ; but so short, that he could not comfortably lie 
down. No light or fire was permitted in his cell, and he 
was denied suitable food or decent clothes. In the severe 
Winter of 1795, he suffered severely from cold, and be- 
came miserably emaciated. And to add to his bodily 
sufferings, mental anxieties were added. He was made 
to believe that he was only reserved for public execution, 
and that his chivalrous deliverers had already perished on 
the scaffold. Nor was he permitted to know whether 
his family were yet alive, or had fallen under the revolu- 
tionary axe. 

But the failure of the rescue was not all evil. It gave 
his friends and his wife a clue to his place of confinement 
and the condition he was in. After her husband had been 
imprisoned, she herself was arrested and sent to her hus- 
band's estates in the South of France, 320 miles from 
Paris, and there kept as a State prisoner for more than a 
year. When her husband's estates were confiscated, as 
well as her own, she was brought to Paris and there im- 
prisoned. By the unwearied exertions of Washington 
and our minister at Paris, she M^as released, and at liberty 
to go whither she would. She might have come to Amer- 
ica, as she was cordially invited to do ; but, just at this 
time, the news of the attempted rescue of her husband 
reached her ears ; and that settled at once the course she 
should pursue. Sending her son, George Washington, 
to George Cabot of Boston, to be by him sent to Mount 
Vernon, she procured passports from the American ]Min- 
ister at Paris for herself and two daughters, and stai'ted 
11 



82 

for Vienna. She luul tlien three ehildren — two tlaugliters 
and one son. Anastasia was 16, Virginia 13, and George 
Washington 11. The first-born daughter, Henrietta, died 
in childliood, when her father was in tlie revolutionary war. 

On her arrival at Vienna, the Emperor, Francis I., 
received her coldly ; but after earnest importunity, her 
request to visit her husband was granted, but with such 
conditions that he sup})osed she would not accept them. 
They were, that she should carry nothing with her for the 
comfort of her husband, and never be permitted to come 
out of the prison while she lived. Har^h and barbarous 
as the terms Avere, she accepted them at once, and she and 
her two daughters entered the prison. The meeting can- 
not be described by words ; hardly imagined ! The prison 
walls rving with a joy that had never echoed there l^efore ! 
For three long and grevious years, he had not heard the 
least news of his family ; and there his beloved wife and 
two daughters stood before him ! Separate apartments 
were assigned the daughters, each one to her solitary 
room ; and only eight hours in the twenty-four wx're they 
allowed to be with their parents ; and then they were con- 
stantly annoyed by the visits of the keeper, under the 
plea that they might be plotting mischief. 

The imprisonment of the daughters, in its details, par- 
took more of the nature of satanic malevolence than any- 
thing else. They had committed no crime ; were neither 
accused nor suspected of any ; and yet, their confinement 
was made to be needlessly irksome and oppressive. But 
eight houi's in the twenty-four were they allowed to be 
with their parents ; and the other sixteen, were confined 
in separate rooms, and not allowed to be company for 
each other ! 

After an imprisonment for more than a year, the emaci 
ation and feebleness of ^Madame Lafayette were so great, 
that her husband urged her to ask leave to go into more 



83 

healthy quarters for a time, to recruit her health. She 
did ; and what Avas the answer ? Such as a despot might 
give. She and her daugliters might leave the prison as 
soon as they pleased, but never to return there again, and 
immediately quit the kingdom. Harsh as the terms were, 
her husband urged her to accept them for the sake of her 
children as well as herself. But slie turned to him at once 
and firmly said: "My dear husband, I had rather die 
Avith you here in prison, than live at the beautiful La- 
grange without you." He urged her no more, and came 
to the conclusion that they all were destined to die there 
together ! 

But Providence had determined that Lafayette and his 
wife and daughters should not perish within the prison 
walls of Olmutz. Austria might well spurn the entreat- 
ies of America and England, and frown at the words of 
reproach echoed over the continent ; yet she quailed un- 
der the stern mandates of Napoleon. The commands of 
the "Conqueror of Italy" must be obeyed, and Lafayette 
and his family were set free. On the 23d of September, 
1797, Lafayette, after an imprisonment of over fi^^e years, 
and his wife and daughters, after a confinement with him 
for twenty-two months, were permitted once more to see 
the light of day, and breathe the pure air of heaven. And 
all these enormities and afflictions were endured without 
judgment of law, or even the accusation of crime ! 

But there must have been a cause for his imprisonment, 
and what was it ? Simply this : He was a decided be- 
liever in, and a powerful advocate for, rational liberty and 
freedom ; and that kings should not possess arbitrary 
power, but be subject to law's, as well as their subjects. 
When he was first arrested and imprisoned, the joyous tid- 
ings were sent to .the crowned heads of Europe, and caused 
a jubilee among all advocates of arbitary power. They 
hardly dared kill him by a public execution, but to kill 



84 

him in .»uoh a manner that none should know, outside of 
jjrifron walls, what became of him. 

The motives of Xapoleon in liberating Lafayette are 
not distinctly knovsTi, for he had not caused hie name to 
be stricken from the "proscribed list," and he could not 
return to France. He, therefore, sought a retreat on 
neutral ground, and went to Holstein, a dej>endency of 
Denmark ; and at the little to^^-n of Welmoldt he enjoyed 
rest and repose. Little George was sent for, and the 
family were once more all together. But his patrimony, 
as well as that of hie wife, had been confiscated, and he 
v.as destitute of the comforts of life. In this emergency, 
two P^nglish ladies, in token of their deep sympathy, sent 
him four thousand pounds, which fully relieved him of all 
his immediate wants. The names of these benevolent 
latlies are not kno^^'n. The banker who sent the money 
was not at liberty to disclose their names, so that the 
General never knew who his benefactors were. 

In the latter part of the year 1799, the Director}' was 
overtlirown and the Consulate established, with the vic- 
torious Xapoleon at its head. When this was known to 
Lafayette, he went to Paris and demanded of Xapoleon 
his rights as a citizen. His demand was tacitly granted, 
his name was stricken from the "proscribed list," and La- 
grange restored to his wife ; but his large estates in the 
South of France were never restored to him. To the 
beautiful estate of Lagrange, situated 40 miles East of 
Paris, consisting of a thousand acres of productive land, 
on which is an ancient castle of ample dimensions. Gen. 
Lafayette brought his family, and they were all together 
again on their native soil. And at this delightful retreat 
the family lived the remainder of their days. A secluded 
life the General lived, during the whole of Xapoleon's 
reijfn ; althou^rh ur^ed at times to take high office in his 
irovemment. 



85 

On the 24th of December, 1807, died the devoted wife, 
Madame Lafayette. Although not unex})ected, yet it was 
a shock the family could not bear with composure ; and 
when slie gave them her last smile, bathed her death-I)cd 
in tears. She lived ten years after her release from the 
prison of Olmutz, but never fully recovered her j)reviou8 
health. Her maiden name was Anastasia do Noailles, 
and daughter of the Duke de Ayen. Her married life was 
thirty-four years, and she was forty-seven years old at the 
time of her death. Her life is one of the briglitest in the 
annals of female heroism, cons[)icuous alike for her pub- 
lic charities and domestic virtues. 

In 1814 passed another, act in the great drama of 
French politics. Napoleon was dethroned, sent to Elba, 
and Louis XVIH. was seated on the throne of his fathers. 
In eleven months Napoleon appeared on tlie stage again, 
dethroned the king, and occupied his place. After the 
battle of Waterloo, Napoleon was deposed, and the king, 
])y the power of his allies, was restored to liis throne 
again. In all these changes Lafayette took no active part. 
He called once on the king, was decently treated, but 
never called again. From 1818 to 1824 he had l)een 
elected, and sat in the Chamber of Deputies ; but in the 
last named year, the king })ut fortli all his power and de- 
feated his election. He thouglit that was a favorable time 
to visit his friends in America, which he had for a long 
time contemjilated to do. And his son George was very 
anxious to visit a country he had heard so much of, and 
seen so little, and that little was in early youth. His 
secretary and son were taking notes of the tri}) througli 
the country, and on their return to France, would be 
looked over, and if anything could be made out of them 
worthy of publication, and were printed in his lifetime, I 
should have a co[)y. 

Let it not be supposed that the narrative of Gen. La- 



8() 

faycttc's iinprlsonnient and attem})tcd rescue was iiiainly 
derived from him. On all other subjects he was free to 
converse, but on this his voice faltered, and he became 
silent ; tears Avcre on liis face, and I perceived that the 
remembrance of liis sufferings was too painful, and 
changed the subject. But most of the facts are obtained 
from an account given liy Dr. Bollman himself, and pub- 
lished in a magazine soon after the event. 

Nor, let it be supposed that his friends Avere inactive 
and silent during all his long imprisonment. General 
Washington, then President of the United States, did all V 
he could in his official capacity, as well as a private citi- 
zen, to relieve him from his loathsome dungeon. A num- 
ber of leading papers in London and Haml)urg published 
a series of articles exposing in sarcastic and cutting lan- 
guage the infamous conduct of Prussia and Austria, to the 
scorn of all Europe. Their perfidy in detaining a pris- 
oner, contrary to the rights of nations and humanity, was 
condenmed with sucli eloquence and scathing criticism 
that the tyrants were goaded to speak in their own defence. 
And what did they say ? Only this : That the freedom 
of Gen. Lafayette was incompatible with the safety of 
the present governments of Europe ! And this was their 
only apology for their inquisitorial cruelties to him. 

Two attempts were made in the British Parliament to 
liberate Gen. Lafayette — one on the 17tli of March, 
1794, and the other on the Ifith of December, 179(i. At 
the latter date. Gen. Fitzpatrick, after a feeling and elo- 
quent introduction, introduced a resolution into tlie House 
of Commons requesting the King to intercede, in such a 
manner as he deemed proper, for the deliverance of Gen. 
Lafayette and the other State prisoners. He was sup- 
ported by Col. Tarlton, who had fouglit against Lafayette 
in Virginia, during our revolution ; and by Fox, Wilber- 
force, Sheridan, and Greg ; and op})osed by Pitt, Burke, 



87 

Windham and Dundas. Fox, in particular, pleaded the 
cause of Lafayette in one of the most impassioned 
speeches he ever made ; but all, all in vain ! The motion 
was lost by the large majority of 132 against 32. 

On the Journal of the Congress of the United States 
of the 3d of i\Iarch, 1797, will be found a record which 
will stand through all time, as a dark spot in the annals 
of our country. It is some relief, however, to know that 
it was as odious to the citizens of the country then as it 
is to the present generation. 

On that day, the orator and and Statesman, Robert 
Goodloe Harper, introduced a resolution into the House 
of Representatives, requesting the President to take such 
measures as he might deem expedient to adopt, to restore 
to liberty our fellow-citizen, Gen. Lafayette. 

Nothithstanding this resolution was advocated with the 
glowing eloquence of a Harper, it was rejected by a yea 
and nay vote of 52 to 32 ! This result, no doubt, may 
be attributed to the cold, calculating fear of foreign en- 
tanglements and disputes ; and, therefore, the gallant La- 
fayette, who had spent his time and substance, and peril- 
led Ids life in the cause of our independence, must be left 
to the tender mercies of a tyrant, with a fair prospect of 
perishing in a loathesome dungeon ! But, thanks to God, 
the stern mandates of Napoleon effected what neither the 
British Parliament nor the American Congress dared to 
attempt ! 

General Lafayette was born on the 6th of September, 
1757, in the province of Auvergne, which is in the central 
part of the Southern division of France, and three hund- 
red and twenty miles South of Paris. The estate consisted 
of five thousand acres of land, surrounded by mountains 
in the distance, and presents the most delightful scenery 
to be found in France. The ancestral Chateau de Chavag- 
nac, where he was born, was built in 1701, on the site of 



ss 

a more ancient one destroyed by fire. It stands amid an 
amphitlieatre of mountains, commanding a magnificent 
view of encirclinfii; mountain summits. Interestino; as the 
birthplace of Lafayette may be, it contains, at this day, 
liardly any memorials of himself. Even the room in 
which he was born is not known ; and a single portrait of 
him, taken in his boyhood, is the only evidence of his 
early residence there. 

He belonged to one of the most ancient and nol)le fam- 
ilies of France. The family, from time immemorial, was 
noted for ability, patriotism and integrity ; so that the 
name of Lafayette was but another name for integrity and 
honor. His father was a Colonel in the French army, 
and killed in the battle of iVIinden, a few months before 
he was born. The care of his infancy and youth was left, 
therefore, entirely to his mother, w4io was a woman of 
education, excellent qualities and rare attainments. 

He entered college in Paris at the early age of 12; was 
fond of books, and obtained a good classical as well as 
military education. His love of books continued through 
life, and was a great source of enjoyment in his leisure 
hours. 

In 1770, at the age of 14, his mother died ; and as he 
was an only child, he was left sole heir to a large estate ; 
and, although surrounded by parasites and flatterers, never 
indulged In dissipation, but applied his great Income to 
some useful purpose, rather than spending it in riotous 
living, as young men often do. 

In April, 1774, he was married, at the early age of 17, 
to the Countess Anastasie de Noallles, daughter of the 
Duke d'Ayen, and brought to his own a heart full of 
virtue, eoin-age and conjugal aflTection, as well as large 
estates ; although she, herself, was the greatest treasure 
of all. Her estates, together with his own, gave him a 
revenue of more than $37,000 a year. ' 



89 

He became a great favorite at Court, especially with the 
brilliant but aristocratic Queen, Marie Antoinette, who, 
in after life, when he advocated reform, turned against 
him with the unforgiving and relentless ferocity of an 
enraged woman. She was an Austrian Princess ; and as 
her cousin was on the throne at the time of Lafayette's 
imprisonment at Olmutz, her influence, dead or alive, no 
doubt followed him there, and caused his extremest suffer- 
ings. 

General Lafayette was a precocious youth ; or, rather y 
seemed to have no youth at all, for he appeared to leap 
from childhood to manhood at a bound ; and while others 
of his own age were at school, he had obtained his own 
education, and was in the battle field, bravely contending 
for the rights of man. 

General Lafayette would be deemed a man of note 
among thousands. He was nearly six feet in height, 
broad-shouldered, robust, rather inclined to corpulency ; 
full and florid face, light complexion, and large, full and 
expressive eyes. He had great power of face ; and the 
muscles of his forehead and face would readily move, and 
instantly change ' ' from grave to gay, from lively to 
severe." His perceptions were very acute ; and he would 
readily adapt himself to all persons, times and occasions. 
On his last visit here, he had been a widower eighteen 
years ; and when he took leave of President Adams at 
Washington, Sept. 6, 1825, it was on the anniversary of 
his birthday ; and he was exactly sixty-eight years of age. 
He spoke the English language very well, but slower than 
a native American. He said when he left this country in 
1784, he could speak English quite fluently; but being 
40 years out of practice, it took time to express his 
thoughts in that language. 

General Lafayette lived nine years and eight months 
after he left this country in 1825, very much at his ease, 
12 



90 

higlily respected, and often a member of the Cluunber of 

Deputies. At the beautiful Lagrange, surrounded by his 

family and friends, full of honors, at peace with himself 

and all the world, he went to his rest May 20, 1834, aged 

seventy-six years and eight months — the last surviving 

Major-General of the revolutionary war. 

"He sleeps his last sleep; he's fought his last l);ittle; 
No sounds can awake him to glory again." 

His death caused a great sensation in Europe, as well 
as in America, and due honors were paid to his memory. 
He was buried in a small cemetery near Paris, by the side 
of his Avife ; and in a few years his son, George Wash- 
ington Lafayette, was laid there also. Now, all his chil- 
dren are dead, and there buried ; but numerous grand- 
children, and great-grandchildren, inhabit the lieautiful 
Lagrange. 

It must be admitted, however, that Gen. Lafayette was 
a most remarkable man. So varied were the incidents of 
his life, and so momentous the affairs of the world at the 
time he lived, that his character cannot be delineated in a 
sentence. Let us allude to a few prominent incidents in 
his life : — 

In the first place, he was a kind, humane and benevo- 
lent man. In 1787, a fii-e occurred on Beach street, Bos- 
ton, which destroyed one hundred buildings, sixty of which 
w^ere dwelling houses of peo])le in moderate circumstances. 
When the news reached France, the General sent $1.^00 to 
Samuel Beck, to be distributed among the sufferers. In 
1778, he rescued a British Captain, about to be executed 
by Gen. Arnold. Near the American camp lie found a 
soldier, meanly clad, sitting at the foot of a tree, with his 
elbows on his knees and his hands up to his face in deep 
melancholy. On inquiring the cause of his grief, the sol- 
dier said, he had lately enlisted, Init that he was so sadly 
poor tliat lie had left his wife and two children at home 



91 

entirely destitute. The General at once relieved the fam- 
ily and clothed the soldier. An Irishman, who had pub- 
lished a newspaper in Ireland of liberal principles, had to 
flee his country, and came to Philadelphia. He needed 
$400 to establish a paper there. The General gave him 
the sum, and he established his paper and became a patri- 
otic and useful citizen. On taking leave of Capt. Allyn, 
of the ship Cadmus, he made valuable presents to all the 
officers and crew. 

In 1786, he wrote to Gen. Washington to assist him in 
devising a plan to elevate the African race. He says, 
"Let us unite in purchasing a small estate, where we may 
try the experiment to free the negroes and employ them 
only as tenants." But, impatient of delay, he tried the 
experiment alone, by purchasing an estate at Cayenne, in 
South American waters, with all the negroes upon it ; 
freed them, and had the pleasure of finding his plan suc- 
cessful. In this, he had the cordial sympathy of Wash- 
ington, Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Patrick 
Henry, and others. Washington wrote to him, under 
date of May 10, 1786, "Your late purchase in Cayenne^ 
with a view of emancipating your slaves, is a generous 
and noble proof of your humanity. Would to God a like 
spirit might diffuse itself generally into the minds of the 
people of this country." We have already alluded to his 
contributing one hundred and forty thousand dollars of his 
own funds to the cause of American Independence, besides 
giving arms and uniforms to the Continental army. But 
why pursue this subject further? His whole life was 
characterized by kind acts, considerate charities and noble 
deeds. Turn we, then, to some of the tokens of regard 
bestowed upon him : 

In the time of the Revolution, Congress presented him 
an elegant sword ; and a similar one was presented him at 
New York in 1824, by the Ninth Regiment of Artillery. 



92 

Dr. Franklin's cane was presented to h'nn at Pliiladel- 
pliia, and at Bergen, N. J., he was presented with a gold- 
headed cane, made out of an api)lc tree that shaded 
Washington and Lafayette in 1779. At Mount Vernon, 
he was presented by Mr. Custis with a ring, containhig 
Gen. Washington's hair, and his Masonic sasli and jewels. 
At Baltimore, he was presented with an elegant carriage 
by the makers, and he took it with him on his trip through 
the Southern States in 1825. But I turn to things more 
etherial and sublime. He has been complimented and 
honored with innumerable speeches, addresses and letters ; 
with the deep-toned voices of cannon and bells, the cheers 
of nuisical bands, and the shouts of welcome from millions 
of people, all combined in one harmonious strain, echoing 
from the great lakes to the greater gulf, and from the 
Atlantic ocean to the great rivers and mountains of the 
West. And his name will live — live, not only in the 
hearts of a grateful people, but in the names of moun- 
tains, forts, counties, towns, corporations and societies, 
as well as in the names of children and children's children 
to the latest generation. 

The degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him 
by many colleges ; the right of citizenship, by the United 
States ; and the freedom of States and cities was granted 
to him and his posterity. But to show he was not ambi- 
tious of worldly honors, it should be stated that many of 
the hijjh offices and honors he declined. In the French 
revolution, he refused to be made King ; and afterwards, 
when he was strongly urged to become Presidents of a 
French Republic, he firndy declined. He was, also, ten- 
dered high offices by Na})oleon, but declined them all. 

In 1803, he was appointed Governor of Louisiana, by 
President Jeffi'rson, and urged to accept it ; but he respect- 
fully I)ut firndy declined the high honor. 

And to show his disinterested patriotism, it is only 



93 

needful to state that he refused to receive any compensa- 
tion for all his services and expenditures in both the French 
and American revolutions. When urged by the French 
government to receive some compensation for all his great 
services, he replied that " his fortune had been sufficient 
to place him above want, and had sufficed for two revolu- 
tions ; and if a third should occur, for the benefit of the 
people, the whole should be devoted to it." 

In addition to all this, and to show he was a man of 
uncommon liberality, it should be stated that Congress, 
in 1803, granted him 11,000 acres of land, to be located 
in the newly acquired territory of Louisiana. His agent 
located a thousand acres adjoining the city of New Or- 
leans. In 1807, Congress, seemingly unconscious of this 
location, granted to the city of New Orleans a large 
portion of the very land entered by General Lafayette. 
When informed of the fact, and that his title was unques- 
tionable, and the value of the land was from fifty to a 
hundred thousand dollars, he wrote to his agent that he 
would not consent to inquire into the validity of his title ; 
for he could not think of entering into a litig-ation with 
any public body in the United States ; and gave positive 
instructions to his agent to relinquish his entry, and make 
a location elsewhere. He did so, and the new location 
proved of little value ; but the land relinquished is an 
important part of the city of New Orleans, and worth 
millions. 

I have said that General Lafayette was not only need- 
ful, but essential, to the success of our revolution. And 
now, in addition to all other considerations, I will state 
an important reason in confirmation of this. It is a well 
known fact, that it is difficult to make armies of diffiirent 
nations, even when engaged in the same cause, to act 
liarmoniously together. This was often painfully wit- 
nessed in our revolution ; and no one but General Lafay- 



94 

ette could i?uccessfully negotiate betAvcen them and induce 
them to act efficiently together. This, at times, was an 
arduous task, and taxed his utmost powers. His great 
exertions w'ere never more conspicuous and essential than 
in the case of Count D'Estang at Newport, and Count 
De Grasse at Yorktown. 

General Lafayette was a man of great firmness and 
})ersonal courage. He stood for the right against all odds, 
and never deserted a friend. This was fully exemplified 
in his joining the American revolution at the time he did ; 
and when other hearts quailed he stood firm. His per- 
sonal firmness was conspicuous, when he rode up to quiet 
and disperse a mob in the French revolution. The first 
salutation he got, was a musket shot. He felt the ball 
whistle by his car ; he changed not his position , but 
stretched himself up in the saddle, looked sternly at the 
quarter from whence the shot came, and firmly said : 
" Bring forth the assassin !" Straightway the mob fell 
upon the assassin and cut him to pieces ; then shouted 
loud and repeated cheers for Lafayette, and at once dis- 
persed. 

Another instance of firmness and courage, that surpasses 
all ordinary comprehension, occurred at the prison of 
Olmutz. When the Austrian ministers found they must 
relinquish their prey, although unknown to Lafayette at 
the time, they attempted to compel him to receive his 
freedom on prescribed conditions ; but he distinctly and 
firmly said, " he would perish within the })rison walls, or 
leave them a free man." 

He seems to have had a charmed life, for he })assed 
through perils of shipwreck and mutiny on the ocean, the 
perils of a snagged boat on the great AVestern river ; and 
faced many a hard fought battle in Europe and America, 
and escajjcd all these perils with merely a slight fiesh 
wound on his person. He was more " the man of destiny" 



95 

than Napoleon himself, and, like Marshal Ney, was "the 
bravest of the brave." 

A sketch of Gen. Lafayette would be incomplete with- 
out a glance at the beautiful Lagrange and its occupants. 
The castle lies in the fertile district of La Brie, forty miles 
East of Paris, remote from any thoroughfare, and sur- 
rounded by forests. A more sequestered spot, distant 
from the bustling world, can hardly be imagined. Here 
are prolific orchards, cultivated fields, pleasant walks and 
antiquated woods. The castle is quadrangular in shape, 
with a round pointed tower at each angle. The building 
is ancient, and simply furnished. The wood is divided 
into beautiful lanes, intersecting with each other, and ad- 
mirably adapted to solitary walks, or reading, in the dense 
shade. 

The estate is divided into grass lands and cultivated 
fields, and dotted here and there with cottage buildings, 
but no fences. Here may be seen, in their season, 
orchards of fruit, fields of grain and meadows of grass. 

Here, the General lived in rural simplicity and unosten- 
tatious hospitality ; and few indeed are the Americans who 
did not pay their respects to the benefactor of their coun- 
try. No idle ceremony awaited them ; but, simply, a 
hearty Avelcome. His breakfast hour was eleven, but the 
children were served with a morning lunch, and dinner at 
five — two meals a day. After breakfast came the morn- 
ing walk, starting all together, but soon separating into 
different parties, as inclination dictated. Sometimes the 
General, with his grandson, inspected his farm, his sheep- 
folds and cattle-stalls ; looked over the peasantry at work, 
and had a cheerful word for all. Once a week, the peas- 
antry assembled in an ample room in the castle in winter ; 
and in summer, on the lawn, and danced to the merry 
sound of the violin. In this, the younger portion of the 
family joined. In the course of the evening an ample 



lunch was served to them all. Tlic simplicity in dress of 
the whole family was remarkable. No finery was seen on 
.any of them, and few ornaments. The General, himself, 
in youthful days, when ruffled shirts and ruffled wristcrs 
were fashionable, Avould have none of thera. Should it 
be asked, how he could have enjoyed the gorgeous dis- 
plays in this country, so lavishly exhibited, the answer is 
plain. He did like splendid scenes and rich ornaments, 
but not on his person. When a little school girl, in Bos- 
ton, slipped a crown of laurels, interwoven with flowers, 
on his head, it came off quicker than it was put on, and 
placed on the seat beside him. When a like attempt was 
made at Yorktown, his quick hand caught the wreath and, 
handed it to another. What man of observation ws 
there here, who did not observe that the General, his 
son, and secretary, passed all over the country in the 
simplest garb imaginable, without any display of orn£ 
ments on dress. A writer, Avho visited Lagrange whei 
the family were all alive and together, says ; "Simple iri^ 
dress as in the manner of living ; it would be in vain to 
seek for splendid dresses, jewels, or any of the trappings 
of worldly vanity at Lagrange. The jewels of the La- 
fayette family are those of the mother of the Gracchi." 
Cannot 2^10118 American ladies take note of this? 

Gen. Lafayette's private apartments consisted of two 
rooms, on the second floor. His bed room was a fair 
sized room, with afire-place, and windows looking out on 
the lawn and woods in the rear of the castle. From this 
room, a door opened into his library, which was large, 
and in the turret, and nearly round. It is adorned with 
the busts of Washington, Franklin, and other distin- 
guished Americans. By a window, is his desk, where he, 
with a spy-glags, could see on his left his whole farm and 
his stables ; on his right, the park and an elegant lawn, 
covered with luxuriant grass ; and also see his peasants at 



97 

work, and enjoy the extensive scene before him. Here he 
kept his farm books, in which are registered a record of 
his crops and improvements, in his own hand. 

Gen. Lafayette had a room in his castle, set apart as a 
kind of museum, which he called "America," in which 
were deposited his American gifts, curiosities, newspapers, 
pamphlets, &c., among which was seen, in a conspicuous 
place, Dr. Franklin's original printing press. 

In a thorouo-h investigfation of the character of Gen. 
Lafayette, I had come to the conclusion that he was a 
most noble and perfect man ; and I could say, like Pilate 
of old, "I find no fault in him;" when I was taken all 
aback at my stupidity. Two writers, of some note, have 
discovered a most grievous fault, and it would seem he 
has most grievously answered it in another world ! One 
says, "he finds no evidences of a Christian faith on his 
dying bed ; without which, all other virtues are dim and 
powerless in such an hour." And the other says, "If, to 
the noble qualities he possessed, had been added the pure 
faith and sublime hopes of the gospel, nothing would have 
been wanting to complete the portraiture of a perfect 
man." "Evidences and hopes !" and to whom given, to 
God or to man ? Who presumes to be the vicegerent of 
the Almighty, and poke his nose into a death-bed scene, 
and pronounce judgment on a dying man ? 

When or where did Lafayette act or speak a word 
against the Christian religion? On the contrary, it is well 
known that he was no bigot, but for the largest religious 
liberty. Although educated as a Catholic, when the 
Protestants in the South of France complained of in- 
fringements on their religious rights, he hastened to that 
region, carefully investigated all their complaints, and had 
them redressed. Contrary to all rules of law or justice, 
these bigots call no evidence, the strongest evidence, and 
condemn accordingly. 
13 



98 

And has it come to this, that when a remorseless mur- 
derer appears on the scaft'old with his priest, and exhibits 
some sniveling signs of repentance, proclaims his peace 
made with God and sins forgiven, is endorsed as a saint and 
sent joyfully to Heaven ; and a man who has spent a long 
life in doing all the good he could, but is not sagacious 
enough to have a priest, or pious deacon, at his dying bed ; 
and, in his presence and hearing, manifest his Christian 
faitli and hope, is denounced an infidel and sent to perdi- 
tion I 

1 had supposed that religion was a private matter be- 
tween man and his Maker, and not between man and 
man ; and all outside human interference, arrogant im- 
pertinence. Where do these religionists get the doc- 
trine that dying confessions take precedence of a long 
life of "good works?" The Bible says, "by their 
fruits ye shall know them ! " And by this doctrine I 
stand, and doubt not in the company of all real Christians 
throuirhout the world. It is time that these criticisms on 
deatli-bed scenes should be treated with the contempt they 
deserve. 

To cast a shade over the brightest characters cannot, 
surely, be a desirable em})loyment for an honest, liberal 
mind ; yet some men, of narrow minds and strong pre- 
judices, undertake this insidious task, pursue it with a 
zeal that never tires, and authoritatively condemn without 
a particle of evidence whatever. 

George Washington Lafayette, the General's only son, 
was so completely eclipsed by liis father, that little is said 
or known of him. In most of the published accounts of 
the General's visits, his name is seldom mentioned at all ; 
and yet, he was much of a gentleman, of good personal 
appearance, and well educated. Although he seemed 
reconciled to his position, yet it must have been rather 
unpleasant to him to pass through the country under such 



99 

a dense shadow as hardly to be seen or recognized, amid 
the splendid scenes that surrounded him. He could not 
join in the shouts of welcome to his own father, and must 
have been often a mere silent looker-on. It must have 
been some relief, however, to see his father so highly 
honored, to whom he seemed to be much devoted. He 
had great fears that his father's strength was overtaxed, 
his constitution would be impaired, and, after the excite- 
ment was over, would linger and die. 

When I took my seat in the stage coach at Pembroke, 
I sat by his side ; and as neither of us cared to pay much 
attention to the passing events, we had, during two or 
three hours, an interesting conversation. He spoke the 
English language very well ; I thought, more fluently than 
his father ; and when I marvelled at this, he said he learned 
it in his early youth. That when his mother and two 
sisters went to seek his father at Olmutz, he was sent to 
Mount Vernon, staid there more than tAvo years, studied 
the English language, and spoke it daily in common con- 
versation. He formed a strong attachment for General 
Washington and his wife, and did not wonder that his 
father so highly esteemed them. Although he was kindly 
treated, and generally enjoyed himself vciy well, yet he 
had some very sad hours. He understood that his mother 
and sisters were in the prison at Olmutz with his father ; 
but during all the time he was at Mount Vernon, he could 
not learn anything more, notwithstanding the great exer- 
tions of General Washington. He could not know whether 
they were alive or dead, sick or well ; and the suspense, 
at times, was very severe. He did not let the General 
and Mrs. Washinofton know how sad he was, because it 
would have distressed them on his account, without the 
power of relieving. At length, the joyful tidings came, 
that his father, mother and sisters were all alive and out 
of prison, and he was sent for to join them at Welmbold 



100 

in Denmark. He leaped for jov, ran out 'into the fields 
to sliake oft' liis exuberant feelings, that were too oppres- 
sive to hold. With all expedition, he embarked, and met 
them at last. The meeting was very aftecting, mingled 
with joys and sorrows. They found him increased in size 
and a healthy boy ; but he found them mere skeletons of 
what they were ; and they appeared })rematurely old. 
Thev atteni])ted to tell him of the horrors of Olnuitz, but 
could not. In time, they improved in health, were re- 
stored to Lagrange, and were quite happy. 

The year before, he had gone with his father to visit 
Mount Vernon, and looked over the buildings and grounds. 
They were not in such complete order as in the days of 
Washington. They entered the tomb of Washington, 
paid their devoirs at his shrine, and wept full sore as they 
left. His stay was short ; shorter than it would have been 
had he been alone ; for his father was exceeding sorrow- 
ful, often in tears, and he urged an early departure. 

Our conversation then turned upon the incidents of 
their tour through the country ; and I perceived at once 
that he had been an attentive observer. He said, Amer- 
ica was a rough looking country com[)ared to France, but 
very interesting in scenery. Nature had done her work 
here on a large scale, and the mountains and rivers were 
wonders. It was something marvellous that they had 
travelled so many thousand miles, over hills and rough 
roads in stage coaches, and in steamers on the mighty 
rivers, and had not been in peril of life or limb but once ; 
and that was in a steamer on the Mississi})pi river, when 
the boat was snagged. The snag was a big tree and 
pierced the boat entirely through, and came out above the 
upper deck, so that the boat sank in a few minutes. But 
another steamboat was at hand, and they were rescued, 
with the loss of his father's hat, a trunk containing a part 
of his correspondence, and the l)eautiful carriage presented 



101 

to him at Baltimore. A hatter at Louisburg supplied him 
with a new hat, but his correspondence and carriage could 
not be restored. 

We also discussed the political affairs of his country 
and mine ; and the English and French languages. I 
said, that the Frencli language was so full of silent letters, 
and words of different signification were pronounced so 
much alike, that it was difficult for a foreigner to speak or 
understand it. He said, that might be so, but the Eng- 
lish language was under the same condemnation ; much 
more, probably, than I was aware of. Now, d-a spells 
day ; but you must needs add a useless y ; and this applies 
to a large class of words. And why does ditch need a t 
more than rich? And how can a foreio^ner disting-uish 
the difference in pronunciation between shijJ and sheep? 
I gave in. 

He was of medium size, darker complexion than his 
father, and about forty years old when here. He served 
in the army of Napoleon from ISOO to the peace of Tilsit ; 
was a brave and efficient warrior, and twice saved the life 
of his commander. General Grouchy ; was his aid through 
all the hard-fought battles, and was recommended by him 
for promotion. But Napoleon would not promote a La- 
fayette, and struck his name from the list. In 1803, he 
married the daughter of Senator Tracy, a very accom- 
plished lady. They had five children, and the eldest 
daughter was a great favorite of General Lafayette. 

Anastasia, the eldest surviving daughter of the General, 
married Charles de Latour Maubouro; ; Virginia married 
M. de Lasterie, who bravely fought with his brother- 
in-law, George Washington Lafayette, in many battles ; 
but being connected with the Lafayette family, obtained 
no promotion. General Lafayette's youngest child was a 
daughter, named Carolina, after a State — or, rather, two 
States — of the Union. She was the only child born after 
the return of Lafayette to Lagrange. 



102 

In conclusion, permit ine to suf^gest the propriety of 
erecting a nionunicnt at the State capital, in coainieniora- 
tion of the noble deeds of General Lafayette. Monuments 
have been built, and great honors bestowed on successful 
generals, many of whom fought to enslave and oppress 
mankind, and were a curse to the age in which they lived. 
But a greater Patriot, Statesman and Warrior is here, 
whose voice, pen, sword and fortune were vigorously and 
liberally employed in vindication of the rights of man, 
and the freedom of his race. A large debt of gratitude 
we owe him, for the manifold blessings we now enjoy. 

Should it be said, that, as he fought for the whole 
country, and was the Nation's Guest, a monument at the 
Capital in Washington City would be more appropriate, 
the answer must be, that he was the Guest of Xcav Hamp- 
shire also, one of the original States for which he fought. 
And, moreover, the case seems to be resolved into this : 
a New Hampshire monument, or none at all. If any one 
doubts this, let him look at the long unfinished monument 
of Washington, at the Capital of the nation. 

And will the State of New Hampshire ever enter into 
such an enterprise as this ? Let it never be asked ; but 
let the people en masse erect it. After plans have been 
made, and the cost ascertained, let subscription books be 
sent to every town in the State, subscriptions limited to 
one dollar each ; and when the needful amount is obtained, 
let an agent of each town meet at Concord, and appoint 
all needful committees for the building of the monument. 
Let the subscription books be deposited in the archives of 
the State, so that the autographs of the donors will live 
in all time to come ; and they will feel that they have 
contributed their mite to a most noble object, and immor- 
talized their names. And so great will be the desire to 
see the autographs of the don()rs, tliat a fac-simile will be 
lithographed, published in a book, and handed down as 
an heir-loom to the latest posterity. 



103 

And now, permit me to make some suggestions in regard 
to its size and location. The high ground directly in the 
rear of the State House would seem to be the most fitting 
place for its location. If buildings are in the way, let 
them be purchased, and removed. Let there be ample 
space to fit uj) a beautiful lot, with a fountain, seats and 
shade trees. As to its shape and size, let it be an obelisk, 
similar to that on Bunker Hill ; only let it be made of 
rubble, or rough hewed granite, laid in cement ; and let 
it be of sufficient height to over-top all spires and build- 
ings — sharp set against the sky, with no other back- 
ground but the blue heavens. And then, let it be crowned 
with a statue of Gen. Lafayette, of colossal or heroic size, 
facing the East and the State House. 

A small, polished shaft is suitable for an individual 
grave, or family tomb ; but not appropriate for a public 
monument. That, like a rugged mountain in the land- 
scape, should only be seen in the distance. Nature has 
smooth buttercups and flowers, but majestic trees are rug- 
ged and rough. 

And when the congregated wisdom of the State assem- 
ble at the capitol, and ambitious political partisans so far 
forget themselves as to " give up to party what was meant 
for manhood," enter into a personal debate, and bandy 
words that are neither decent nor true, let them take a 
recess, repair to "Monument Square," and cool off". Let 
them sit in the dense shade, drink of the cool fountain, 
read the inscriptions on the monument, and look aloft on 
the benign face of the image it bears ; and hardened sin- 
ners indeed they must be who do not return to the State 
House wiser Legislators and better men. But, if any 
narrow minded partisan should be impervious to all influ- 
ences like these, he must be too insio-nificant to be seen 
with the naked eye, and become the shadowy shadow of a 
shade ! 



104 

And now, as we are on the Bubject of Legislators, let 
us express the wish, or hope, that they may in the future, 
as in former days, be "diligent in business," and econom- 
ical in expenditures ; and never indulge in "talking against 
time," or charging the State for seven days' labor in a 
week, for only three days' work actually performed. 

The statue of Lafayette will stand as the sentinel on a 
watch-tower, the guardian-angel of the city of Concord ; 
and its benign influence will be felt. Its citizens will 
honor the name they bear, and concord and not discord 
will be known, seen and felt throughout all its borders, 
and the State will justly be proud of its capital. 

Concord has now many prominent features that are an 
honor to the city and State. Its reformatory and sanitary 
institutions, state house, halls, churches, stores and hotels 
are of the first order ; and yet the Lafayette monument, 
when built, will be the most attractive feature of the city ; 
save only the asylum for the insane. That stands on such 
a delightful eminence, commanding such a splendid view 
of the city and surrounding country, that it is a most at- 
tractive retreat for the sane as well as the insane. And 
then, there are such a series of unpretending, yet well ar- 
ranged buildings, for the comfort, health and enjoyment 
of the inmates ; so neatly kept throughout all their bor- 
ders ; and withal, so quiet and still, that one can hardly 
believe he is visiting an institution inhabited by hundreds 
of human beings, really insane. And he leaves it at last 
with the firm conviction that the superintendent, his aids 
and assistants, are marvellous persons indeed, who can 
keep so quiet, tidy and neat so many human beings, 
whose minds have so little control of their bodies, and the 
premises they occupy in such perfect order. Other insti- 
tutions of the kind I have visited, of larger size, more 
costly, and of greater pretensions ; but in all essential 
features, the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane 
equals, if it does not exceed them all. 



105 

And the Lafayette monument will not only be known 
and honored in the State ; but throughout the whole coun- 
try — from the great lakes to the greater gulf, and from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. Concord will become 
the Mecca of the nation, and pilgrims from afar will pay 
their devoirs at its shrine ; and, if latter-day prophets do 
not block the wheels of time, for many long ages yet to 
come. 

Youths of America ! I linger, for I desire to proffer a 
few parting words. In pondering over this sketch, I 
doubt not, you have come to the conclusion, that Wash- 
ington and Lafayette were needful to each other, and both 
essential to the success of the American revolution. Had 
either been wanting, it would have been a failure. Un- 
like in temperament, yet all the more useful aids to each 
other, and should be held in equal estimation, and alike 
honored by the American people. 

In stern integrity, patriotism and noble daring, Gen. 
Lafayette had no superiors, and few equals, in the Amer- 
ican Revolution. He had, indeed, in an eminent degree, 
the essential characteristics of a successful warrior — quick 
to perceive, sagacious to plan, and prompt to execute. 
While others shrunk from danger, and avoided all perilous 
positions, he bravely threw himself into the "deadly 
breach" and buffeted the storm of two revolutions, and 
became the bright, burnished link between two centuries, 
and the gallant Hero of two hemispheres. Let us, then, 
honor his name, imitate his virtues, and all join heart and 
hand to make this nation, what he prophesied it might be, 
one of the greatest nations of the earth. Let us then, 
with one voice and one mind, in trumpet tones proclaim, 
shout, sing — 

" Columbia, Columbia, to glory arise, 

The Queen of the world, and child of the skies." 



u 



106 

I had conehulod to stop here, and cloi^e my skoteli of 
Gen. Lafayette ; hut, on reflection, I have thought that it 
might he deemed incomplete without some more particu- 
hir notice of his many splendid receptions outside of New 
Eny:land. I have room only for a few of them ; the whole 
would fill volumes. I begin with his 

RECEPTION AT THE CITY OF HUDSON, 

ON NORTH RIVER, STATE OF NEW YORK. 

On landing at the wharf the crowd was so great that it 
was almost impossible to })roceed in any direction, but by 
the great and active exertions of the marshal of the day, 
aided by military companies, Gen. Lafayette was con- 
ducted to an elegant barouche, drawn by four black 
horses, attended by foiu' grooms in livery, and then pro- 
ceeded up Warren street, at the head of which an arch 
had been erected, which, in size and elegance, exceeded 
anything that had been seen on the route. Half way up 
the street was another arch, more elegant than the first, 
and at the end was a third, superior to both ! All along 
the street, more than a mile in length, a dense crowd 
cheered the General as he passed, and the ladies, in win- 
dows and on balconies, waved their handkerchiefs in the 
air, while Lafayette bowed, or attempted to bow, to the 
various individuals of that vast multitude. 

The third arch claims a moment's notice. On its top, 
stood a colossal figure of the Goddess of Liberty, well 
proportioned and beautifully painted ; holding in her hand 
the American standard, with a large flag that gracefully 
floated in the air. To all of the arches were suspended 
various and aj)propriate mottoes and inscriptions. 

On arriving at the Court House, the troops opened to 
the right and left, and all that could, passed into the court- 
room. This room was most si)lendidly decorated through- 
out, displaying great labor, and uncommon taste and skill. 



107 

On each side of the entrance to the bar stood a beautiful 
Corinthian pillar, with caps and cornices of the composite 
order, elegantly wrought and ornamented with leaves of 
gold. On the top of each of the pillars was placed a 
globe, and these were united by a chain of flowers of every 
hue, festooned with vases and laurels. At this enchant- 
ing jjortal, the Mayor gave the welcoming address, to 
which the General, with much emotion, replied. He was 
then introduced to the officers of the city, and ladies and 
gentlemen. But the most affecting scene was his intro- 
duction to sixty-eight veterans of the revolution. It so 
happened that some of them were officers, and many of 
them soldiers, who had served under Lafayette in the rev- 
olutionary army. Each had something to say ; and, when 
they grasped his hand, were reluctant to release it. What 
each individual said cannot be recollected ; Ijut one said, 
You, General, gave me the first guinea I ever had in my 
life. Another presented the sword given him by the Gen- 
eral in Rhode Island. But the feelings of the General 
and his comrades were too great for speech, and could 
only be relieved by sobs and tears. 

As he passed down to the boat, he called at the hotel, 
wliere a sumptuous feast had been provided ; but he could 
not stop to partake of it, as his dinner awaited him at 
Albany, and he was then some hours behind time. He, 
however, took a glass of wine and some refreshment, and 
})assed on to the boat. When aboard, and the boat 
dashed out into the stream, cheers upon cheers were given 
by the vast multitude on shore, which were answered from 
the boat, while the cannons uttered their deep-toned voices 
from the hills. And thus, the boat was cheered from 
shore to shore on its route to Albany. 

In some places the display was surprising — sometimes 
comical. On nearing the landing of a small village a sol- 
itary howitzer gave a national salute ; and when the party 



108 

were wondering what next, as no people were visible, a 
large cannon, concealed in the woods, answered it, while 
a multitude dashed down to the shore with loud shouts of 
welcome. And thCn a veteran soldier, whose enthusiasm 
could not be repressed, dashed down to the water's edge, 
fired his heavy loaded musket, swung his hat and shouted, 
"I give you, General, the best I've got." He was greeted 
from the boat with loud shouts of applause. 

General Lafayette's trip extended to Troy ; and he 
there visited Mrs. Willard's celebrated Ladies' Seminary. 
On arriving at the gate of the Institution he found an ar- 
bor of evergreens, extending to the building, a distance of 
200 feet ; and, on entering the house, he was presented 
to Mrs. Willard ; and she then presented to him her pu- 
pils. On this occasion, two young ladies presented him 
the following poetic Address, composed by the princii)al ; 
which was sung with great sweetness and pathos by Miss 
Eliza Smith, of Worcester, Mass. In the choruses, the 
pupils joined ; and the whole was executed ^vith great 
effect. The General was much moved ; and at the close 
of the singing said : "I cannot express what I feel on 
this occasion ; but will you. Madam, present me with 
three copies of these lines, to be given, as from you, to 
my three daughters ?" The request, of course, was readily 
complied with. 

LAFAYETTE'S WELCOME. 

And art thou then, dear Hero, come? 

And do our eyes behold the man 
Who nerved his arm and bared his breast 

For us. <!re yet our life began ? 
For us. and for our native land. 
• Thy youthful va or dared the war; 

And now. in winter of thine nge. 

Have come, and left thy loved ones far. 

Then, dear and deep thy welcome be. 
Nor think thy dauj^hters far from thee; 
Columbia's dausrhiers. lo ! we bend. 
And claim to call thee Father. Friend. 



109 

Nor yet, our country's rights alone 

Impelled thee on in Freedom's cause ; 
No, 'twas the love of human kind. 

Of human rights and equal laws. 
It was benevolence sublime. 

Like that which moves the eternal mind ; 
And, benefactor of the world, 

He shed his blood for all mankind. 

Then, deep and dear thy welcome be, 
Nor think thy daughters far from thee I 
Daughters of human kind, we bend. 
And claim to call thee Father. Friend. 

The General was then conducted back through the 
arbor, on the sides of which the pupils had arranged 
themselves in close order, to the number of two hundred, 
and threw laurels before him as he passed. The visit of 
Gen. Lafayette at Troy, short as it was, gave him great 
satisfaction, and he spoke of his visit at the seminary as 
one of the most interesting and delightful moments of his 
life. 



RECEPTION AT THE LIVINGSTONS, 

ON THE HUDSON. 

When the steamer arrived at the landing, it was discov- 
ered that the groves were literally alive with people of all 
ages and sexes, shouting a welcome to the Nation's Guest. 
The rocks, glens, and even the trees to their topmost 
branches, were full of joyous people, who joined in the 
general shouts of joy. The General was escorted to the 
ancient mansion house of the Livingstons, then occupied 
by Robert L. Livingston ; and after a short time of intro- 
ductions, a splendid picnic was served to the multitude. 

He was then conducted to the more modei'u, but not 
less elegant, mansion of Edward P. Livingston. Among 
the most attractive displays here, was a sumptuous sup- 
per, served up in a style seldom if ever equalled in this 



no 

country. The place selected for this fete, was an extensive 
green-house, or orangery, and the effect was very impos- 
ing. The tables had been made for the occasion, and 
placed beneath a grove of lemon and orange trees, full of 
fruit, and brilliantly lighted by hundreds of lamps ; while 
on the outside, the whole atmosphere was, at times, splen- 
didly lighted up by fireworks. This enchanting scene was 
ended by a dance, which lasted far into night ; but the 
General early retired for his much needed rest. 



RECEPTION AT NEWARK, N. J. 

The General's reception at Newark was very unique 
and imposing. As the procession moved to the green, 
surrounded by troops, it was met by 24 male singers 
ranged in two lines, who sung with great pathos the fol- 
lowing lines : — 

Hail to the Gallant Chit-f, whoso fame 
Is pure a.s Heaven's etherial flame ! 
Millions of jrrateful people cheer 
And welcome our brave soldier here. 
O ! strew the blooms of vale and grove, 
Bright as our joys, warm as our love ; 
The present and the past are met 
To welcome noble Lafayette. 

The General, followed by the procession, passed through 
the centre of the green until he came near a magnificent 
bower, where he was received by 24 female singers, 
ranged in the same order as the men singers, who tuned 
their voices to the following strain : — 

We weave the wreath, we pour the wine. 
Where smiles like sparkling sunbeams shine: 
And hail the thousand.s fondly met 
To greet thee, matchless Lafayette ! 
Unseen, around the flowt-ry way 
Shades of the dead in glory play; 
While hearts beat high and eyes are wet; 
The winds of heaven hail Lafayette! 



Ill 

The General then passed on between the lines of these 
ladies, who strewed his pathway with flowers ; and entered 
a splendid rural temple, erected for his reception. The 
base of the temple was 40 feet in diameter, in front of 
which was a beautiful portico, composed of 13 arches, 
representing the 13 original States, over which was a 
dome, representing the Western hemisphere. The pillars 
which sustained the dome were 15 feet in height, and 
wreathed with evergreens and flowers. On both sides, 
and directly back, were colonnades of twelve arches, 
forming arbors for the ladies. The tower was lofty, and 
supported by four triumphal arches ; on the summit stood 
a large golden eagle, with a crown of laurel in his beak, 
and an olive branch on the liberty cap which he held in 
his talons. In front of the portico, was the name of La- 
fayette in large letters, made with white blossoms. In 
the centre was a platform on which were two large chairs ; 
and over the one occupied by the General, was a canopy 
in the form of a cone, wreathed with brilliant flowers of 
various hues. On the arches forming the portico, were 
the following inscriptions ; on the West, " Now I am 
going to serve you ;" on the South, " For him whom the 
nation delights to honor ;" on the JSForth, " We ne'er shall 
look on his like again ;" on the East, " His laurels shall 
never fade." 

The workmanship of this temple was as neat as the 
design was classical. Everything was interwoven with 
such skill and compactness as to form cornices, capitals, 
and fretwork, with as much exactness as could be made in 
sculptured marble. It was, indeed, a fairy palace as seen 
at a distance, and resembled the beautiful palace in the 
garden of Versailles in France, which it was designed to 
imitate. 

The foregoing account is but an item in the display at 
Newark ; but by this, judge the rest. 



112 

RECEFriON xVT PHILADELPHIA, PA. 

Early in the morning, the General left Frankford for 
Philadelphia, distant five miles. The population of the 
city poured forth to meet him, in carriages, on horseback 
and on foot, and filled every avenue for the whole dis- 
tance ; while the windows, balconies and platforms were 
filled with ladies — all joyous and shouting welcomes. But 
human voices could not give full utterance to the feelings 
of overflowing hearts. In a field of 50 acres, near the 
city, a division of militia, 5500 strong, composed of cav- 
alry, artillery and infantry, were drawn up in a hollow 
square to meet him ; and his ap|)roach was announced 
by 100 rounds of artillery. The General proceeded in 
his carriage to the centre ; arose, and waved his hat and 
bowed to the troops all around him in succession, while 
salutes and shouts of welcome, loud and long, greeted 
him on all sides. He made the review on foot, but re- 
ceived the salutinjj honors in his carriage. 

The line of march was then taken for the city, and the 
procession was more than three miles long. A full de- 
scription of this procession, and the numerous decorations 
and arches on the route, cannot be given in detail. A 
mere outline must suflfice. t 

1. A cavalcade of 100 citizens. 

2. One hundred mounted field and staflP oflficers. 

3. Five hundred cavalry troops. 

4. A mounted band of music. 

5. A company of 150 cavalry. 

6. A brigade of 2000 militia. 

7. Committee of arrangements on iiorseback. 

8. General Lafayette and Judge Petters, in a splen- 
did barouche. 

9. Four other barouches, with Ciovs. Shultze and 
Williamson and suites, the General's family, and other 
distinguished individuals. 



113 

10. Three cars of large size, splendidly decorated, 
made for the occasion, containing 120 revolutionary heroes. 
Each carriage had the name of Washington in front, and 
Lafayette in the rear; and on one side, "Defenders of 
the country," and on the other, "The survivors of 1776." 

11. Four hundred young men on foot. 

12. Various trades, led by a car of printers at work, 
both at the case and press, and printing and distributing 
patriotic odes. 

13. Typographical Society, with banner, Lafayette. 

14. Two hundred shoemakers, with banners, badges 
and emblems. 

15. Three hundred weavers, with decorations. 

16. One hundred and fifty rope-makers, with emblems. 

17. One, hundred and fifty lads dressed in uniform. 

18. One hundred ship-builders, with banners. 

19. Seven hundred mechanics of various occupations. 

20. One hundred and fifty coopers, fitting staves and 
driving hoops. 

21. One hundred and fifty butchers, mounted, and in 
white frocks. 

22. Two hundred and sixty truckmen, mounted, with 
white aprons trimmed with blue. 

23. One hundred and fifty rifle men, in frocks. 

' 24. A full company of artillery, with two field-pieces. 

25. A brigade of 1800 infantry. 

26. A company of New Jersey cavalry. 

27. The Red Men of the State. 

28. The Lafayette Society. 

29. " The True Republican Association." 

30. " The German American Association." 

31. A body of 300 sturdy farmers concluded the 
procession. 

The appearance of this grand procession was august 
and imposing. As it passed, "Lafayette, Lafay- 
15 



114 

ETTE !" s[)rang from the voices of a inultltiule that rolled 
on, and on, and on, like the waves of the ocean, in nuni- 
hcrs estimated at a quarter of a million. Lafayette beat 
in every heart ; Lafayette hung on every tongue ; Lafay- 
ette glowed on every check ; Lafayette glistened in every 
eye, and swelled on every gale. The country and the 
whole city appeared arrayed in all their glory, beauty and 
strength ; at once, to Avitncss and adore the majesty of the 
spectacle and to honor the Nation's Guest. 

The procession, after passing through the princijjal 
streets of Philadelj)hia, halted in front of the old State 
House, in which was signed the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence in 177(). Here, the General alighted, passed un- 
der a most magnificent triumphal arch into the hall, which 
had been decorated in a most s])lendid manner for this oc- 
casion. Among the decorations was a statue of Wash- 
ingtorL, and })ortraits of William Penn, Dr. Franklin, 
Tiobert ^lorris, Francis Hopkinson, Generals Greene, 
Wayne, ^lontgomery, Hamilton, Gates, Rochambeau ; 
and also, of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Jefferson, 
Hancock, Adams, Madison, Munroe, and Thompson. 
Here were assembled the city authorities, the society of 
Cincinnati, the judges of tlie courts, &c., &c. The 
mayor of the city then gave him a most eloquent address, 
to which the General gave a feeling reply, in a faltering 
voice, for he was manifestly overcome by his emotions. 

At night, the whole city was brilliantly illuminated ; in 
which the United States Bank building presented a most 
enchanted appearance. The liglits were so placed as not 
to l)e seen, and the doors being thrown open, it appeared 
like a palace of transparent marble. 

Among the numerous arches was one of gigantic size 
and splendid appearance, after the plan of one of the fa- 
mous arches of Rome. It was constructed of wood, cov- 
ered with canvas, and painted in perfect imitation of stone. 



115 

Its front was tbrty-five feet, embracing a basement story 
of doric order, from which an arch sprung to the height 
of twenty-four feet. The spandrels on each front were 
decorated with the figure of Fame painted in elegant style, 
with arms extended and holding a civic crown over the 
key stone. The wings were of the Ionic order, and dec- 
orated with statues of Liberty, Victory, Independence and 
Plenty, with suitable mottoes ; the whole surmounted 
with an entablature of thirty feet. In the centre, under 
the arms of the city, and on each side, were placed the 
statues of Wisdom and Justice, with appropriate em- 
blems. The superficial surftice of painted canvas ex- 
ceeded 3000 feet. 

The next day, a grand levee was held in the State House, 
where thousands took him by the hand ; and he received 
no less than fourteen addresses : one each from the Old 
Soldiers, Philosophical and Bible Societies, the Univer- 
sity, Chamber of Commerce, the Bar, the Young Men, 
the French Citizens, the Washington Grays, the Lafay- 
ette Association, the Revolutionary Officers, and the 
Young Ladies of the several schools. 

A grand civic ball was given in the new theatre, ex- 
ceeding anything of the kind ever witnessed in the 
city before. Seventeen hundred ladies and gentlemen 
Avere present, exhibiting an unrivalled galaxy of elegance 
and splendor. But the details of this brilliant assembly 
cannot be given in words, and must be left to the imagi- 
nation. Of the company present were Mrs. Robert Mor- 
ris, the two ]Misses Bollman, daughters of Dr. Erick Boll- 
man, Gov. Schultze, Gov. Williamson, John Quincy 
Adams, Gen. Barnard, and two hundred citizens from the 
various States of the Union, together with thousands of 
joyful spectators. 

The next day a most beautiful spectacle was exhibited 
in the State House yard, where 2000 school children were 



assembled, all dressed in uniform, to greet and receive 
an address from Gen. Lafayette. 

In fine, we must cut short this interesting display, and 
leave it lialf untold. Suffice it to say, the General spent 
six days at Philadelphia in one continual round of visits 
and receptions, unerpialled, perhaps, in the annals of time, 
and departed, at last, amid the roar of cannon and shouts 
of the multitude, for AVashington citv. 



RECEPTION AT BALTI.AIORE, MD. 

After leaving Philadelphia, the General passed through 
the principal towns of Delaware, Avhere he was enthusi- 
astically received, and arrived at Freuchtown in the even- 
ing, and went on board the steamer United States, which 
had come down from Baltimore to receive him. On board 
the boat, he Was highly entertained by his friends, and 
staid all night. Here, he had an unexpected meeting with 
his old friend, Capt. Du Boismarten, who procured for 
liim, and commanded the vessel that first landed him in 
this country in 1777. The Captain was a venerable 
Frenchman of 83 winters, many of which had been cheer- 
less and l)leak, for he was sadly [)oor. .He was greatly 
overcome in meeting Gen. Lafayette, and left him, at 
last, with a lighter heart and hpavier purse. 

The next morning, the boat proceeded to Baltimore, and 
on entering the Patapsco river was met by five steamers, 
all beautifully dressed for the occasion, full of joyous 
ladies and gentlemen, which sailed round the steamer 
L^nited States, and cheered the General as they passed. 
These five steamers then rounded to, and followed in the 
wake of the United States to Fort ^NIcHenry, where Gen. 
Lafayette was to make his headquarters while in Balti- 
more. 

The General was received on the platform of the Fort 



117 

by Col. Hindman, of the U. S. Army, where the o(ith 
and 38th Regiments had their stations. On entering- tlie 
gate, the troops opened to the right and left, which brought 
to view the identical tent of Gen. Washington, used by 
him in the revolutionary war. ' Here Gov. Stevens greeted 
him with an animated address. He was then conducted 
into the tent, where he found members of the Cincinnati, 
and patriarchs of the revolution. The meeting was most 
affecting ; the General embraced them all, and all were 
convulsed with tears of gratulation and joy. 

When the first emotions had subsided, Lafayette cast 
his eyes round the tent, and discovering a part of the 
well known camp equipage of Washington, in a subdued 
voice said, "I remember, I remember! Language can- 
not express my feelings in meeting my brothers in arms 
in the tent of Washington." There was silence and tears 
in the tent for a time. 

The company then proceeded to an adjoining marquee, 
where breakfast had been prepared for the occasion. At 
the close of this repast, the General was conducted to a 
most s})lendid two seated barouche, made expressly for 
the occasion, and exceeding in beauty anything of the 
kind in America ; wliich was presented to the General 
wlicn he left l)y the makers, and he took it with him on 
his Southern tour. The venerable Charles Carroll of 
Carrollton, Gen. Smith, and Col. Howard, took seats in 
the carriage with Gen. Lafayette ; and when it left the outer 
gate of the fort was met by a thousand cavalry, which 
formed his escort through the city. In passing Federal 
Hill, a salute of twenty-four guns was fired to denote the 
number of States in the L^nion. After passing under 
splendid arches, the General l)eheld, at the head of Market 
street, ten thousand men, in companies, completely armed 
and in full uniform. Here, all his companions left the 
carriage, and the General, alone in the barouche, passed 



lis 

along the whole line, then took a fair position, and the 
troops passed in review before him. The appearance of 
Market street was most animated and t^plendid — every 
house-top, window, balcony, door and s^idcwalk being filled 
with joyous spectators. 

The city of Baltimore was filled by a vast nudtitude of 
people as never before nor since ; yet the utmost order 
prevailed, and the General was greeted throughout all the 
streets with all the tokens of welcome that Imman feeling-s 
or ingenuity could bestow. 

At tlie Exchange, he was received and addressed by the 
Mayor, and introduced to the Councils, and others. He 
then proceeded to a pavilion on Light street, at the en- 
trance into Market street, where he received the final 
passing salutes of the military companies. Language 
would fail to describe this splendid ])ageantry, which lasted 
nearly two hours. 

At 5 o'clock a sumptuous feast had been provided, at 
whicli the ^layor presided. Among the guests were AVm. 
Patterson, Gov. John B. Morris, John Quincy Adams, 
then Secretary of State ; Gen. Macomb, of the \J. S. 
Army ; Col. Howard, Gen. Samuel Smith, Geo. Wash- 
ington Custis of Arlington ; Generals Strieker, Stuart, 
Reed, Benson, Harper, Stansbury and McDonald ; tlie 
Colonels conunanding regiments in the State and city, 
together with a large number of guests from the various 
States in the Union. 

In the procession, was i)roudly l)orne the standard of the 
brave Count Pulaski, who fell at the assault on Savannah, 
fastened to one of the spears of his legion, to which his 
sword was attached by his cross-belt, now in the posses- 
sion of Col. Bentalo, as an affectionate memorial of his 
departed friend. 

In the evening, the city illumination was most splendid ; 
especially, the Exchange, Dispensary, Banks, Theatre and 



119 

jMuseum, and the arches were in a full blaze of light ; 
while pyramids of fire at the bridge, and a revolving star, 
three feet in diameter, had an imposing effect, hard to 
describe. The whole scene was interspersed with trans- 
parencies, mottoes and devices, all appropriate to the oc- 
casion. 

The ball-room in the evening was most splendidly 
decorated and illuminated. After the ceremony of intro- 
ducing the General to the ladies and gentlemen was over, 
at the signal of a bugle blast, the dancing instantly began. 
In time, supper was announced, and the managers escorted 
the General into a hall no less splendid than the ball-room 
itself. The cheerful conviviality, appropriate and cordial 
hilarity, may be considered as the finishing touch to the 
magnificent fete at Baltimore. 



The addresses to and from General Lafayette were so 
numerous, that I have given them merely a passing 
notice ; but the official addresses at the seat of govern- 
ment in Washington city, I give entire. 

ADDRESS OF SPEAKER CLAY, 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DEC. 10, 1S24. 

General : The House of Representatives of the United 
States, impelled alike by their own feelings and by those 
of the whole American people, could not have assigned 
me a more gratifying duty than of being its organ to pre- 
sent to you cordial congratulations upon the occasion of 
your recent arrival in the United States, in compliance 
with the wishes of Congress ; and to assure you of the 
high satisfaction which your presence affords on this early 
theatre of your glory and renown. Although but few of 
the members who compose this body shared with you, in 
the war of the revolution, all have a knowledge from im- 
partial history, or from faithful tradition, of the perils, 



120 

the sufferings and sacrifices, which you have vohuitarily 
encountered, and tlic sii;-nal services in America and in 
Europe which you pertornicd for an infant, a distant and 
an alien people, and all feel and own the very great extent 
of the obligations under which you liave placed this coun- 
try. But the relations in which you have ever stood to 
the United States, interesting and important as they have 
been, do not constitute the only motive of the respect and 
admiration which the House entertains for you. Your 
consistency of character, your uniform devotion to regu- 
lated liberty, in all the vicissitudes of a long and arduous 
life, also commands its highest admiration. During all 
the recent convulsions of Europe, amidst, as after the 
dispersion of, every political storm, the people of the 
United States have ever l)elield you true to your old prin- 
ciples, firm and erect, cheering and animating with your 
well known voice the votaries of liberty, its faithful and 
fearless chann)ion, ready to shed the last drop of that 
blood which you so freely and nobly spilled in the same 
holy cause. 

The vain wish has sometimes [)een indulged, that Prov- 
idence would allow the Patriot, after death, to return to 
his country, and to contemplate the intermediate changes 
which had taken place — to view the forests felled, the 
cities built, the mountains leveled, the canals cut, the 
highways constructed, the progress of tlie arts, the ad- 
vancement of learning, and the increase of population. 
General, your present visit to the United States is the 
consoling ol)ject of tliat wisli. You are in the midst of 
posterity. Everywhere you must have been struck with 
the gi'cat changes, physical and moral, which have occurred 
since you left us. Even this very city, bearing a vener- 
ated name alike endeared to you and to us, has since 
emerged from the forest which tlien covered its site. In 
one respect, y<ni ))ehold us unaltered, and that is in this 



121 

sentiment of continued devotion to liberty, and of ardent 
affection and profound gratitude to your departed friend, 
the Father of this Country, and to your ilkistrious associ- 
ates in the field and in tlie cabinet, for the multiplied 
blessings which surround us, and for the very privilege 
of addressing you, which I now exercise. This sentiment, 
now fondly cherished by more than ten millions of people, 
will be transmitted, with unabated vigor, down the tide 
of time, through the countless millions who are destined 
to inhabit this continent, to the latest posterity. 

GENERAL LAJFAYETTE'S REPLY. 

Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of 
Representatives : While the people of the United 
States, and their honorable Representatives in Congress, 
have deigned to make choice of me, one of the American 
veterans, to signify in his person their esteem for our 
joint services, and their attachment to the principles for 
which we have had the honor to fight and bleed, I am 
proud and happy to share these extraordinary favors with 
my dear revolutionary companions ; and yet, it would be 
on my part uncandid and ungrateful not to acknowledge 
my personal share in these testimonials of kindness, as 
they excite in my breast emotions which no adequate words 
can express. 

My obligations to the United States, sir, far exceed 
any merit I might claim. They date from the time I had 
the happiness to be adopted as a young soldier, a favored 
son of America. They have been continued to me during 
almost half a century of constant affection and confidence ; 
and now, sir, thanks to your most gratifying invitation, I 
find myself greeted by a series of welcomes, one hour of 
which would more than compensate for all the public ex- 
ertions and sufferings of a whole life. 

The approbation of the American people, and their 
16 



122 

Rei)rcf<cnt5itivcs, for my conduct during tlie vicij>situdes of 
the European revolution, is the highest reward I could 
receive. Well may I stand firm and erect, when in their 
names, and by you, Mr. Speaker, I am declared to have, 
in every instance, been faithful to those American princi- 
ples of liberty, ecpiality, and true social order — the devo- 
tion to which, as it has been from my earliest youth, so 
shall it continue to be to my latest breath. 

You have been pleased, Mr. Speaker, to allude to the 
peculiar felicity of my situation, when, after so long an 
absence, I am called to witness the immense improvements, 
the admira])le communications, the prodigious creations, 
of which I find an example in this city, whose name itself 
is a venerated palladium ; in a word, all the grandciu- and 
prosperity of these happy States, which reflect on every 
part of the world a superior political civilization. 

What better pledge can be given of a continued national 
love of liberty, where these blessings are evidently the re- 
sult of a virtuous resistance to oppression, and the institu- 
tions founded on the rights of man, and the republican prin- 
ciples of self-government. No, Mr. Speaker, posterity has 
not begun for me, since in the sons of my companions and 
friends, I find the same public feelings, and permit me to 
add, the same feelings in my behalf, which I have had the 
happiness to experience in their fathers. 

Sir, forty years ago, to a Congress of thirteen States, 
I was allowed to ex[)ress the fond wishes of an American 
heart. On this day I have the honor, and enjoy the de- 
light of congratulating the Representatives of the Union, 
so vastly enlarged, on the realization of those wishes, 
even beyond every human expectation, and upon the al- 
most infinite prospects we can with certainty anticipate. 

Permit me, Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House 
of Representatives, to join to the ex[)ression of those sen- 
timents, a tribute of my [)rofound gratitude, devotion and 
respect. 



123 

FAREWELL ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT 
JOHN QUINCY ADA:\IS. 

SEPTEMBER G, iS25. 

General Lafayette : It has been the good fortune 
of many of my distinguished fellow-citizens, during the 
course of -the year now ehxpsed, upon your arrival at their 
respective places of abode, to greet you with the welcome 
of the nation. The less pleasing task now devolves upon 
me, of bidding you, in the name of the nation, Adieu. 

It were no longer seasonable, and would be superfluous, 
to recapitulate the remarkable incidents of your early life — 
incidents which associated your name, fortunes, and repu- 
tation, in imperishable connection with the independence 
and history of the North American Union. 

The part which you performed at that important junc- 
ture was marked with characters so peculiai'^, that, realiz- 
ing the fairest fable of antiquity, its parallel could scarcely 
be found in the authentic records of human history. 

You deliberately and perse veringly preferred toil, dan- 
ger, the endurance of every hardship, and the privation 
of every comfort, in defence of a holy cause, to inglorious 
ease, and the allurements of rank, affluence, and unre- 
strained youth, at the most splendid and fascinating Court 
of Europe. 

That this choice was not less wise than magnanimous, 
the sanction of half a century, and the gratulations of 
unnumbered voices, all unable to express the gratitude of 
the heart with which your visit to this hemisphere has 
been welcomed, aflbrd ample demonstration. 

When the contest of freedom, to which you had repaired 
as a voluntary champion, had closed, by the complete tri- 
umph of her cause in this country of your adoption, you 
returned to fulfil the duties of the philanthropist and 
patriot in the land of your nativity. There, in a consis- 
tent and undeviating career of forty years, you have main- 



124 

tainod, t]iroiif<li every vicissitiulc of alternate success and 
(lisa})p()intnient, the same glorious cause to which the first 
years of your active life had been devoted, the improve- 
ment of the moral and political condition of man. 

Throughout that long succession of time, the people of 
the United States, for whom, and with whom, you had 
fought the battles of li])erty, have been living in the 
full possession of its fruits ; one of the hapj)iest among 
the family of nations. Spreading in population ; enlarg- 
ing in territory ; acting and suffering according to the 
condition of their nature ; and laying the foundations of 
the greatest, and, we humbly hope, the most beneficent 
power that ever regulated the concerns of man upon earth. 

In that lai)se of forty years, the generation of men with 
whom you co-0})eratcd in the conflict of arms, has nearly 
passed away. Of the general officers of the American 
army in that war, you alone survive. Of the sages who 
guided our councils ; of the warriors who met the foe in 
the field or upon the wave, with the exception of a few, 
to whom unusual length of days has been allotted by 
Heaven, all now sleep with their fathers. A succeeding, 
and even a third generation, have arisen to take their 
places ; and their children's children, while rising up to 
call them blessed, have been taught by them, as well as 
admonished by their own constant enjoyment of freedom, 
to include in every benison upon their fathers, the name 
of him who came from afar, with them and in their cause, 
to conquer or to fall. 

The universal prevalence of these sentiments was sig- 
nally manifested by a resolution of Congress, representing 
the whole peo})le, and all the States of this Union, re- 
questing the President of the United States to comuumi- 
cate to you the assurances of grateful and affectionate 
attachment of this government and people, and desiring 
that a national ship might be employed, at your conven- 
ience, for your passage to the borders of our country. 



125 

The invitation was transmitted to you by my venerable 
predecessor ; himself bound to you by the strongest ties 
of personal friendship ; himself one of those whom the 
highest honors of his country had rewarded for blood early 
shed in her cause, and for a long life of devotion to her 
welfare. By him the services of a national ship were 
placed at your disposal. Your delicacy preferred a more 
private conveyance, and a full year has elapsed since you 
landed upon our shores. It were scarcely an exaggeration 
to say, that it has been, to the people of the Union, a 
year of uninterrupted festivity and enjoyment, inspired by 
your presence. You have traversed the twenty-four States 
of this Confederacy. You have been received with rap- 
ture by the survivors of your earliest companions in arms. 
You have been hailed as a long absent parent by their 
children, the men and women of the present age. And 
a rising generation, the hope of future time, in numbers 
surpassing the whole population of that day when you 
fought at the head and by the side of their forefathers, 
have vied with the scanty remnants of that hour of trial, 
in acclamations of joy beholding the face of him whom 
they feel to be the common benefactor of all. You have 
heard the mingled voices of the past, the present, and the 
future age, joining in one universal chorus of delight at 
your approach ; and the shouts of unbidden thousands, 
which greeted your landing on the soil of freedom, have 
followed every step of your way, and still resound, like 
the rushing of many waters, from every corner of our 
land. 

You are now about to return to the country of yoiu' 
birth, of your ancestors, of your posterity. The execu- 
tive government of the Union, stimulated by the same 
feeling which had prompted the Congress to the designa- 
tion of a national ship for your accommodation in coming 
hither, has destined the first service of a frigate, recently 



12() 

launched at this inetropolit^, to the leys welcome, but 
equally distinguished trust, of conveying you home. The 
name of the ship lias added one more memorial to distant 
regions and to future ages, of a stream already memora- 
ble, at once in the story of your sufferings and of our 
independence. 

The ship is now prepared for your reception, and 
equipped for sea. From the moment of her de})arture, 
the prayers of millions will ascend to Heaven that her 
passage may be prosperous, and your return to the bosom 
of your family as propitious to your happiness, as your 
visit to this scene of your youthful glory has been to that 
of the American people. 

Go, then, our beloved friend — I'eturn to the land of 
brilliant genius, of generous sentiment, of heroic valor ; 
to that beautiful France, the nursing mother of the twelfth 
Louis and the fourth Henry ; to the native soil of Bay- 
ard and CoLiGxi, of Turenne and Catixat, of Fene- 
LON and D'Aguesseau. In that illustrious catalogue of 
names which she claims as of her children, and with hon- 
est i)ride liolds up to the admiration of other nations, the 
name of Lafayette has already for centuries been en- 
rolled. And it shall henceforth burnish into brighter 
fame ; for if, in after days, a Frenchman shall be called to 
indicate the character of his nation by that of one indi- 
vidual, during the age in which we live, the blood of 
lofty patriotism shall mantle in his check, the fire of con- 
scious virtue shall sparkle in his eye, and he shall })ro- 
nounce the name of Lafayette. Yet we too, and our 
children, in life and after death, shall claim you for our 
own. You are ours by that more than patriotic self- 
devotion with which you flew to the aid of our fathers at 
the crisis of their fate. Ours by that long series of years 
in which you have cherished us in your regard. Ours by 
the unshaken sentiment of gratitude for your services 



127 

which is a precious portion of our inheritance. Ours by 
that tie of love, stronger than death, which has linked 
your name, for the endless ages of time, with the name 
of Washington. 

At the painful moment of parting from you, we take 
comfort in the thought, that wherever you may be, to the 
last pulsation of your heart, our country will be ever 
present to your affections ; and a cheering consolation 
assures us, that we are not called to sorrow most of all, 
that we shall see your face no more. We shall indulge 
the pleasing anticipation of beholding our friend again. 
In the meantime, speaking in the name of the whole 
people of the United States, and at a loss only for lan- 
"■uasre to 2:ive utterance to that feeling of attachment with 
which the heart of the nation beats, as the heart of one 
man — I bid you a reluctant and aiFectionate farewell. 

GENERAL LAFAYETTE'S REPLY. 

Amidst all my ol)ligations to the General Government, 
and particularly to you, Sir, its respected Chief Magis- 
trate, I have most thankfully to acknowledge the oppor- 
tunity given me, at this solemn and painful moment, to 
present to the people of the United States, with a parting 
tribute of profound, inexpressible gratitude. 

To have been, in the important and critical days of those 
States, adopted by them as a favorite son ; to have par- 
ticipated with them in the toils and perils of our unspot- 
ted struggle for independence, freedom and equal rights ; 
and, in the foundation of the American era, of a new so- 
cial order, which has already pervaded this, and must, for 
the dignity and happiness of mankind, successively per- 
vade every part of the other hemisphere ; to have received 
at every stage of the revolution, and during forty years 
after that period, froni the people of the United States, 
and their Representatives, at home and abroad, continued 



12H 

marks of their confidence and kindness, lias been the 
pride, the encouragement, the support ot" a h)n^ and 
eventful life. 

But how can I find words to acknowledge that series 
of welcomes, those unbounded and universal dis})lays of 
public affection, which have marked each step, each liour 
of the twelve months' progi-ess through the twenty-four 
States ; and which, while they overwhelm my heart with 
grateful delight, have most satisfactorily evinced the con- 
currence of the people in the kind testimonies, in the im- 
mense favors bestowed upon me by the several branches 
of their Representatives, in every part, and at the central 
seat of the Confederacy. 

Yet, gratifications still higher await me, in the wonders 
of creation and improvement that have met my enchanted 
eye ; in the unparalled and self-felt happiness of the peo- 
})le, in their rapid prosperity and insured security, public 
and private ; in the practice of good order, the appendage 
of true freedom and a national good sense, the final arbi- 
ter of all difficulties. I have had proudly to recognize a 
result of the republican principles for which we have 
fought, and a glorious demonstration to the most timid 
?ind prejudicial mind, of the superiority over degrading 
aristocracy or despotism, of popular institutions, founded 
on the plain rights of man, and where the local rights of 
every section are })reserved under a constitutional bond of 
union. The cherishing of tliat union between the States, 
as it has been the farewell entreaty of our great })aternal 
Washington, and will ever have the dying prayer of every 
patriotic American ; so it has become the sacred })ledge of 
the emancipation of the world ; an object in which, I am 
happy to observe that the American people, while they 
give the animating example of successful free institutii)ns 
in return for an evil entailed upon them by Europe ; and 
of which a liberal and enlightened sense is everywhere 



129 

more and more generally felt, show themselves every 
day more anxiously interested. 

And now, Sir, how can I do justice to my deep feel- 
ings, for the assurances, most peculiarly valued, of your 
esteem and friendship ; for your kind references to old 
times, to my beloved associates, to the vicissitudes of my 
life, for your affectionate picture of the blessings poured 
by the several generations of the American people on the 
remaining days of a delighted veteran, for your affection- 
ate remarks on this sad hour of separation, on the country 
of my birth, full I can say of American sympathies ; on 
the hope, so necessary for me, of seeing again the country 
that had deigned, near half a century ago, to call me 
hers ! I shall content myself, refraining from superfluous 
repetitions, at once before you, Sir, and this respected 
circle, to proclaim my cordial confirmation of every one 
of the sentiments which I have had daily opportunities 
publicly to utter, from the time when your remarkable 
predecessor, my old friend and brother in arms, transmit- 
ted to me the honorable invitation of Congress, to this 
day, when you, my dear Sir, whose friendly connections 
with me, date from your earliest youth, are going to con- 
sign me to the protection across the Atlantic, of the heroic 
national flag, on board the splendid ship "Brandywine," 
the name of which has been not the least flattering and 
kind, among the numberless favors conferred upon me. 

God bless you. Sir, and all who surround us. God 
bless the American people, each of their States, and the 
Federal Government. Accept this patriotic farewell of 
an overflowinof heart — such will be its last throb when it 
ceases to beat. 



At the close of the President's address, the General 
embraced him in his arms, saluting him in th© French 
manner on each cheek. And on pronouncing the last 
17 



180 

sentence of his answer, he advanced, and while the tears 
poured over his venerable cheeks, again took the Presi- 
dent in his arms. He retired a few paces, but, overcome 
by his feelings, again returned, uttering in a broken voice, 
and with great emotion, '■'■God bless yoii ; farewell; God 
bless yoiif" The scene was at once solemn and moving ; 
a? the sighs and stealing tears of many — nay, of all — who 
witnessed it bore testimony. The greetings were contin- 
ued, when self-possession had been recovered, till each 
individual had shared in the pledge of kindness. In bid- 
ding adieu to one of the sons of ^Ir. Adams, whom the 
General long held by the hand, his eyes beamed with 
paternal affection. With Mr. Clay, whose countenance 
gave token that he had not escaped the " soft infection," 
the General held much converse ; and while the refresh- 
ments of the hospitable mansion were in circulation, the 
company gathered around the Guest, to take another and 
yet another farewell look, and to seize once more " that 
beloved hand which was opened so freely for our aid when 
aid was so precious, and which grasped with firm and 
undeviating hold, the steel which so essentially helped to 
achieve our deliverance." 

The procession being formed, a salute of 24 guns an- 
nounced the order for its movement. On the appearance 
of the President, with the guest, in the Court in front of 
the house, a general salute was given to the President by 
the troops. 

The General was then attended to his barouche by 
^lessrs. Clay, Southard and Kush, who rode with him. 
The procession then moved in the prescribed order ; the 
brigades of volunteers passing before the President in 
review. 

When arrived near where the " Mount \'ernon " steam- 
boat was gallantly riding on the Potomac to receive him, 
the guest took a station, in his l)arouche, when the whole 



131 

military escort, commanded by Gen, Smith, passed him 
in review, paying him the customary honors. After this, 
Mrs. Custis, Mrs. Lewis, (of the Washington family,) 
and other friends, took their leave individually. He then 
descended, and was escorted to the steamer,* which at 
lialf past three o'clock moved from the wharf, under a 
farewell salute of 24 guns, the huzzas of many tliousands 
crowning the eminences, and the broken shouts of scattered 
multitudes assembled on the shores. 

As the boat passed the Point, the Navy Yard and the 
Fort, salutes were fired in succession ; and the shouts of 
adieu continued till the boat was entirely lost to the view. 
Thus terminated a day which memory and history will 
cherish, and which will be reverted to with feelings of 
pride and rapture by our descendants, when those who 
were the actors in it shall have passed from the theatre of 
human existence. 



It is now a hundred years since Gen. Lafayette first set 
his foot on American soil, and more than half a century 
since his last visit. But few now living have ever seen 
him ; and less memorials of him than of Washington now 
remain. And as Lafayette was a foreigner, and but a few 
years in this country, he never was so well known as 
Washington. Nor has he been so fortunate as to have a 
Marshall, Sparks or Washington Irving to write his life 
and times. Small volumes and brief sketches have been 
published, but very incomplete, and sometimes erroneous. 



* In explanation of the guest's going on board a steamer at tlie 
Navy Yard, it should be stated that the Brandywine, in which he 
was to embark and return to France, was a sailing vessel, depend- 
ing on the wind, and of such a large size that it could not be readily 
handled in the upper waters of the Potomac; and therefore it was 
anchored some 20 miles dovvu the stream, where the river was much 
larger and the water deeper. 



132 

Xor has lie ever to tlie public }H)[)c:iro(l or been esteemed 
at his real worth. Many have siij)pose(l that as he was an 
impulsive Frenchman, he was fickle-minded and sui)er- 
ficial. 15ut he was very far from all this ; for he was a 
man of a strong mind, a deep thinker and a ripe scholar. 
Impulsive he was, and did nothing by halves ; but wliat 
his hand found to do that ought to he done, he did with 
all his might. That less should be known of him than of 
Washington, is no marvel. And far be it from me to 
eulogize the one at the expense of the other. 

In early life I was taught to venerate the name of the 
Father of his Country, who was pronounced to be first in 
war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his country- 
men. It is said that republics arc ungrateful. AVhatever 
truth tliere may have been in ancient republics, ours does 
not come under that condeumation. 

In early manhood, I lived tlu'ce years in the State of 
Virginia. In that time, I travelled much over the State : 
and, in addition to its curiosities and matchless scenery, I 
visited the place of Washington's birth, on what is called 
the "Northern Neck," in the County of Westmoreland, 
between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers. Tiie 
house in which he was born was in ruins ; as was also the 
house where he and liis widowed mother had lived, op- 
posite to the city of Fredericksburg. He was said to 
have been an athletic youth, and beat all his associates in 
sports that required great muscular strength, such as leap- 
ing and tossing the bar. He was said to have been the 
only youth that could cast a stone across the Ka})j)ahan- 
uock river at Fredericksburg. I tried my hand at it, but 
could throw a stone only about two-thirds of that distance. 
His mother spent her last days in that city, and was there 
buried. 

I also beheld, with awe and veneration, Mount Vernon, 
the home of Washington, and the tomb where his mortal 



138 

remains repose. These scenes impressed me profoundly 
at the time, as the remembrance of them does now. 

And, moreover, the patriotic hidies of the hmd, in 
1858, formed a society called the " Ladies' Mount Vernon 
Association," appointed agents throughout the whole 
country, raised money by subscription and donation, and 
purchased Mount Vernon with two hundred acres of land, 
at the large price of two hundred thousand dollars. Two 
hundred thousand dollars is a large sum to be raised by 
voluntary contribution, but the patriotic ladies were equal 
to the task. They induced the great orator, Edward Ever- 
ett, to write and deliver throughout the land, one of the 
most touching and eloquent lectures on Washington that 
was ever written. And this lecture was delivered in the 
principal towns and cities sixty-Jive times ! One might 
well suppose that a lecture, continually repeated by the 
author, would in time pall upon the senses, and become 
tame and insipid, and listlessly delivered. But the tra- 
dition is, that he stood up to the work like a martyr, and 
delivered it the last time with the same energy and pathos 
as at the first. And all this was done without any com- 
pensation to himself, and the large sums obtained as ad- 
mission fees, were added to the purchasing funds. 

And this Association of ladies, having completed the 
purchase of Mount Vernon ; by their agent, now occupy 
the premises, put the same in complete repair, as in the 
days of Washington, and dedicated it to the nation as a 
place of public resort and pilgrimage forever. 

And now what more can be said or done in regard to 
Washington? In his case, surely, the re})ublic has not 
been vmgrateful. 

As to General Lafayette, what more can be done to 
show a nation's gratitude? Lagrange, his beautiful home 
in France, is not purchasable, as his posterity still occupy ; 
and if it could be, it is in a foreign countiy, and could 



134 

not be made a place of resort tor the American [)e6ple. 
But these pages will show abundant manifestations of 
gratitude to Gen. Lafayette, and nothing now seems 
needful to l)e done but to erect monuments to his mem- 
ory, the same as to Washington himself. There is not 
so much said or dcme in regard to Lafayette as in former 
times, for the present generation do not know him as well, 
and I feel that he ought to be known and esteemed as in 
times past. To this end have I written, and I hope not 
in vain. 

And now, most respectfully, I dedicate this brief sketch 
of the life of Gen. Lafayette to the youth of America, in 
the hope and fervent wish that his noble life will influence 
theirs, even more than it has that of the author. If that 
wish should be gratified, we shall have no more selfish, 
narrow-minded and dishonest politicians ; but honest men 
and true patriots will bear rule, and the country will be- 
come, what Gen. Lafayette prayed it might, the greatest 
and most jjlorious nation on earth. 



^ MAJOR ANDRE. 

[The following Sketch of the unfortunate Maj. Andre 
was written in 1821, and published in the newspa[)ers of 
the time. It grives so much more information of him than 
the brief notice in my "Recollections," that I insert the 
article entire.] 

As the gallant, amiable but unfortunate Major Andre 
has again been brought into notice by the removal of his 
remains from Tappan, a notice of the causes which led 
him to join the army in America and his ignominious exit 
on a gibbet, may not at this time be unaccei)table. His 
family resided at Claptan near London for the most i)art 



135 

of the time ; and consisted of his mother, three sisters — 
]Maria, Anna and Louisa — and his brother William. They 
were very respectable, moved in the first circles and had 
many friends ; for there seems to have been something 
'^ery fascinating and cordial in their manners, together 
with an engaging personal appearance that riveted the 
affections of all their acquaintances. The family were 
well acquainted at Litchfield, a pleasant village, 120 miles 
from their residence, and took much delight in their visits 
there ; especially John Andre, the hero of our story. He 
seems to have been formed by nature to love and be 
beloved. His personal appearance was noble and fascin- 
ating, and his acquirements were such as to give an addi- 
tional attraction to the advantages of nature. He had 
invoked the muses with considerable success, and was a 
musician and painter. He was a belles lettres scholar and 
well versed in history and politics ; and in short, his 
acquirements were such as to enable him to shine in any 
circle, and become, as in fact he did, the idol of his family 
and friends. At the age of eighteen, he became more 
particularly attached to a young lady of Litchfield, by the 
name of Honora Snyed. His attachment appears to have 
been something more than the evanescent kind, which 
vanishes with its object ; for it neither abated nor dimin- 
ished by time or distance, but continued to the last 
moment of his life. It appears, he was not indifferent to 
his fair Honora ; she received his addresses, and avowed 
a reciprocal attachment. Honora's health at this time was 
very delicate ; so much so, that she was forbidden to cor- 
respond with any one ; the intercourse between them was 
continued, however, through the medium of her sister 
Anna, in whose letters Honora would add a postscript. 

As the family did not possess an independent fortune, 
Maj. Andre established himself in the mercantile business 
in Warnford Court, London. The drudgery of a count- 



ing-rooin illy agreed Avitli his ardent imagination, and 
nothing but the soothing idea, that he was acquiring 
property to share with his Honora, rendered his situation 
tolerable. He is sometimes very pleasant and sportive in 
his letters to Anna Snyed ; and in a measure, seems to 
have overcome his dislike to the occupation of a merchant. 
He says : — 

" I no longer see it in so disadvanta<?eous a lif^ht. In- 
stead of figuring a merchant as a middle-aged man, with 
a bob wig, a rough beard, in snufF-colored clothes, grasp- 
ing a guinea in his red hand ; I conceive a comely young 
man, with a tolerable pig-tail, wielding a pen with all the 
noble fierceness of the Duke of Marlborough brandishing 
a truncheon on a sign -post, surrounded with types and 
emblems, and canopied with cornucopias that disembogue 
their stores upon his head ; ]\Iercurys reclined upon bales 
of goods ; Genii playing with pens, ink and paper ; while 
in perspective his gorgeous vessels, " launched on the 
bosom of the silver Thames," are wafting to distant lands 
the produce of this commercial nation. Thus all the 
mercantile glories crowd my fancy, emblazoned in the 
most refulo-ent colorino^ of an ardent imagination. I see 
sumptuous palaces rising to receive me ; I see orphans, 
and widows, and painters, and poets, and musicians, and 
builders, protected and encouraged ; and when tlie fal)ric 
is pretty nearly finished in my shattered pericranium, I 
cast my eyes around, and find John Andre, by a small 
coal fire in Warnford Court ; not so tall as he has been 
making himself, and in all probability, never to be much 
more than he is at present. But oh ! my dear Honora ! 
it is for tliy sake only I wish for wealth ! " 

In the mercantile business he spent a number of years, 
alternately relieving his mind from the tcdiousness of his* 
employment, by visiting his friends at Claptan, and his 
dear Honora at Litchfield. But alas ! misfortune had 



137 

marked him for her prey. His Utopian castle, which his 
" ardent imagination" had reared with such enthusiasm, 
vanished from his view ; and left him wretched, although 
not entirely hopeless. To Honora's father, Maj. Andre 
had never been a great favorite, after his attentions to 
his daughter ; for what reason, is not known ; but, prob- 
ably, because he concluded Andre's turn of mind was illy 
calculated for the acquirement of property ; at any rate, 
after using his influence to dissolve the connection without 
success, he exerted his parental authority and accomplished 
his purpose, but at the expense of the happiness of his 
daughter, and her noble, gallant Andre ! Four years 
after this event, Honora was induced to marry another 
gentleman ; but was melancholy and unhappy, and died 
of consumption a few months previous to the execution 
of Maj. Andre in America. 

When the match was thus authoritatively broken ofl*, 
Maj. Andre obtained a commission in the British army, 
served a while in Germany, and then came to America 
early in the revolutionary war. In time, he was appointed 
by Sir Henry Clinton Adjutant-General, with the rank of 
Major, and became a great favorite with officers and sol- 
diers of the British army. 

In 1780 Gen. Arnold had communications with the 
British officers for the purpOse of surrendering into their 
hands West Point, the strongest fortress in America ; in 
which were deposited supplies for the army, and which 
completely guarded the pass of the Hudson river, through 
the Highlands. To accomplish this, the British sloop of 
war, Vulture, commanded by Capt. Sutherland, came 
up the river to Haverstraw Bay, about twenty miles from 
West Point, with Col. Beverly Robinson, an American 
who adhered to the royal cause, and Maj. Andre. To ef- 
fect a meeting, Gen. Arnold sent Joshua H. Smith, who 
resided near the bay, with a flag of truce to the Vulture 
18 



138 

in tlio uiijlit. The object was to effect a meetino: on shore 
between ]\Iaj. Andre and Arnold; l)ut, to blind Smith, 
the request was made for Col. Robinson. When Smith 
arrived at the Vulture, and delivered his message to Kob- 
inson, he excused himself from meeting Arnold on account 
of ill health, and introduced to him ]Maj. Andre, under 
the assumed name of Anderson, and said all the purposes 
could be effected by his going ashore instead of himself. 
The place of interview was at the foot of Long Clove 
Mountain, on the Western shore ; and on the arrival of 
Smith and Maj. Andre, they found Gen. Arnold among 
the fir trees. Arnold pretended to be vexed and disap- 
pointed at not seeing Col. Robinson ; but requested Mr. 
Smith to stay with the hands at the l)oat while he confer- 
red with Mr. Anderson. Smith staid till the dawn of 
day, and then thought it prudent to apprise them of it. 
Soon after, they both came down to the beach, and Arnold 
lequested Smith to conduct Mr. Anderson on board the 
\"ulture. But as the distance was so great, and the 
hands fatigued, and as it would be impossible to go and 
return before sunrise, he refused. Smith accordingly re- 
turned the boat to the place where he had embarked, and 
Arnold and Andre, mounted on horseback, rode up to 
Smith's house. When Smith arrived at the place to lea^e 
the boat, he observed a cannonading from Gallows Point 
against the Vulture, which compelled her to drop down 
the river. When he arrived at his own house, he found 
that Andre and Arnold had arrived long before, and ap- 
peared vexed that the ship had been compelled to leave 
her position. After breakfast. Smith retired to recover 
from the fatigues of the night, for he was in ill health, 
and left Arnold and Andre the greater part of the day 
toofether. Towards eveninfij Arnold came to liim and re- 
quested that he should convey Mr. Anderson to the Vul- 
ture, which had then nearly regained its former [)osition. 



139 

But, as Smith had then an ague fit upon him, he was un- 
able to comply. Arnold then requested him to accom- 
pany him a part of the way to New York, by land, when 
his ague fit left him. To this he made no objection. Soon 
after, Arnold said a diflficulty had occurred, of which he 
was not before apprised : Mr. Anderson had come ashore 
in military dress, and as it would be impossible for him to 
travel in that dress, he requested a loan of one of Smith's 
coats ; the other part of his dress required no change. 
Smith accordingly furnished a coat ; and Arnold, having 
given a pass to Maj. Andre, by the name of John Ander- 
son, to go to White Plains ; and Smith, with a flag of 
truce to go there and return, left them and returned to 
West Point. Andre appeai'cd disconsolate and sad, and 
Smith tried to amuse him by showing him from the top of 
his house the beautiful prospect over the capacious bay 
and the opjiosite shore ; but he cast an anxious look to- 
wards the Vulture, and with a sigh wished himself safely 
aboard. 

At length, Smith, finding himself better, ordered the 
horses, and they reached the ferry at Stony Point before 
dark. They called at the Sutlers' and drank with them, 
then crossed the river and rode on five or six miles, when 
they were challenged by a patrol party. The command- 
ing officer demanded a countersign, and a reason for their 
travelling in the night. Smith told him they had pass- 
ports from Gen. Arnold, which they had that day re- 
ceived ; that they were on public business of the utmost 
importance, and that lie would be answerable for their de- 
tention a moment. On coming to a light, they presented 
their passports, and satisfied the officer. He, however, 
advised them not to proceed in the night, as patroling 
parties of both armies were out, and there was little 
chance of avoiding them ; and added, he had heard a 
firing a few minutes before meeting them. Alarmed at 



140 

tliis intelligence, they concluded to go no further that 
night, altliough Andre was anxious to proceed. They re- 
turned a short distance and oljtaincd lodofinofs. 

They both slept in the same bed, and Smith was often 
disturbed by the restless motions and uneasiness of mind 
exhibited by his bed-fellow, who, on observing the first 
dawn of day, summoned the servant to prepare the horses 
for their departure. They rode cheerfully towards Pine's 
bridge, over Croton river, a branch of the Hudson, with- 
out interruption ; and as they were passing along, the 
countenance of Andre brightened into a cheerful serenity ; 
he became affable, and displayed a knowledge in the belles 
lettres, music, painting, poetry, and general history, be- 
yond what his companion had any idea he possessed. So 
fine was the morning, so pleasant the converse, and so 
rich the scenery around them, they became insensible of 
time and distance, and were surprised to find themselves 
so soon at the bridge ; the contemplated place of their 
separation. After breakfasting at a low Dutch house near 
the bridge ; and after Smith had given his companion the 
necessary directions of his route to the White Plains, on 
crossing the bridge ; they took an affecting leave of each 
other, and Smith returned to his family in safety. 

Andre, on arriving at the fork of the roads, concluded 
the one by the White Plains would be circuitous to go to 
New York, and having a good horse, he boldly ventured 
to take the other down the river. He had proceeded about 
six miles, when he was stopped in a narrow part of the 
road near Tarr}i:own, by three Xew York militia-men, 
John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Vest, 
who were on a scouting party between the outposts of the 
two armies. One of them having seized his horse by the 
bridle, Andre, instead of producing his passport, asked 
where they belonged to. They answered, " To below. ^^ 
Xot suspecting deception, he replied, " So do /;" and 



141 

declaring himself a British officer, entreated that he might 
not be detained, as he was on pressing business ! On 
finding himself in the hands of his enemies, he offered 
them a valuable gold watch to let him pass ; but this led 
to further suspicion ; they, therefore, took him aside into 
the bushes, and searching him, found his papers lodged 
in one of his boots ! The captors then took him to Col, 
Jamison, where he still passed under the name of Ander- 
son ; and with a view of providing for the safety of Gen. 
Arnold, requested permission to send a line to inform him 
of his detention. Astonishing as it may appear, his re- 
quest was granted. Maj. Andre's messenger arrived at 
Gen, Arnold's lodgings, (which were then, at the house 
formerly occupied by Col, Robinson, on the opposite side 
of the river from West Point, and a short distance from 
the shore,) before the messenger Col. Jamison despatched 
to Gen. Washington with Andre's papers, and also a letter 
from Andre, disclosing his real name and his rank in the 
British army, arrived. Gen. Arnold, on the receipt of 
the letter, seized the messenger's horse, rode furiously 
down a precipice, almost perpendicular, to the river, 
jumped into a boat, and ordered the hands to row down 
to the Vulture ; but he had scarcely passed Verplank's 
Point, when Col. Hamilton arrived with orders to stop 
him ; for about the time Washington reached Robinson's 
house, on his return from Hartford, the packet from Col. 
Jamison arrived. 

Maj. Andre was captured on the 23d of September, 
1780 ; and conducted by a strong guard to Robinson's 
house, where he was examined by Gen. Washington ; he 
was then conducted by water to Stony Point, and by land 
to Orange Town, or Tappan. On the 25th of September, 
Gen. Washington appointed a board of fourteen general 
officers to examine into Maj. Andre's case, and report in 
what light he was to be considered, and to what punish- 



142 

ment liable. Maj. Andre, before the board of officers, 
nobly disdaining to shield himself under any evasive sub- 
terfuge, and solely anxious to place his character in the 
fairest point of view, voluntarily declared even more than 
was required ; and palliated nothing in which he himself 
had been concerned. No witnesses were examined before 
the board ; and after taking time for consideration, they 
concluded to report, although it is said not unanimously : 
" that Maj. John Andre, Adjutant-General of the 
British army, ought to be coiisidered as a spy from the 
enemy, and that, agreeably to the law and usage of 
nations, he ought to suffer death." After this report of 
the Court of Inquiry was known, the British officers used 
every possible exertion that ingenuity could invent, to 
snatch the gallant Andre from his impending fate ; flags 
of truce were continually passing and repassing between 
the armies ; letters were written in the most masterly 
manner, calculated to touch the feelings of Gen. Wash- 
ington ; conferences were held between the officers of the 
opposing armies, &c., &c. ; but all, all proved unavail- 
ing ! Andre, understanding that his fate was fixed, and 
the mode of his death, addressed a letter to Gen. Wash- 
ington, in 'which he says: "Let me hope, sir, that if 
aught in my character impresses you with esteem towards 
me ; if aught in my misfortunes marks me as the victim 
of policy, and not of resent'ment, I shall experience the 
operations of these feelings in your breast, by being in- 
formed I am not to die on a gibbet." As the mode of his 
execution was determined on, the feelings of ^Nlaj. Andre 
were spared, by not answering this letter. On the morn- 
ing of the 2d of October, the unfortunate Andre was led 
forth to the place of execution. As he passed along, the 
American army were astonished at the dignity of his 
deportment ; and the manly complacency of countenance 
which bespoke the serene composure of his mind. The 



143 

scene was overwhelming ; every heart throbbed with an- 
guish, while tears of sensibility flowed from every eye. 
He bowed to those he had known during his confinement ; 
and coming in view of the fatal spot, and seeing the 
preparations for his execution, he stopped, as if absorbed 
in thought : then quickly turning to the officer next him, 
exclaimed — ' ' What ! must I die in this manner ? " Beins 
told it was so ordered, he instantly said, "I am reconciled, 
and submit to my fate, but deplore the mode — it will be 
but a momentary pang ; " and proceeding with calmness, 
mounted the scaffold, adjusted the fatal cord himself, 
and requested the surrounding spectators to bear witness 
to the world, that he died like a brave man. His 
body was interred in an open field, near the place of his 
execution ; a consecrated spot, where friends and foes 
mingle their sorrows, and together deplore the Imtimely 
exit of a man possessed of such rare accomplishments, 
fascinating manners, and nobleness of mind. His name 
is immortal, not only as being connected with the great 
events of the revolution, but as it exhibited to the world 
a character truly amiable and heroic, and universally ad- 
mired by adversaries and friends. 



IN MEMORIAM. 

On the second day of October, 1879, Cyrus W. Field 
erected a shaft at Tappan, N. Y. , to mark the spot where 
Maj. Andre suffered the extreme penalty of the law, Oct. 
2d, 1780. It stands in the old orchard on Andre Hill, in 
Rockland County, near the village of Tappan. The 
workmen had placed the shaft in position, and it was un- 
covered at noon, the same hour that Andre was hanged. 
Not more than twenty persons were present, and not a 
word was spoken by any one. 

The shaft is of Maine granite, and is 3^ feet square 
and 5 feet in heigrht. It stands on two granite stones as 



144 

bases, which in turn rest on a lieavy stone foundation 
under ground. There is no ornamentation, the smooth 
and glistening surface being relieved only by inscriptions 
in the most modest lettering. On the side toward the 
West the longest inscription is carved, as follows : 

Here died, Oct. 2, 1780, IMajor John Andre, of the 
British Army ; who, on entering the American lines on a 
secret mission to Benedict Arnold for the sun-ender of 
West Point, was taken prisoner, tried and condemned as 
a spy. His death, though according to the stem code of 
war, moved even his enemies to pity, and both armies 
mourned the fate of one so young and so brave. In 1821 
his remains were received at Westminster Abbey. One 
hundred years after his execution, this stone was placed 
above the spot where he lay, by a citizen of the States 
against which he fought, not to peqietuate the record of 
strife, but in token of those better feelings which have 
since united two nations one in race, in language and in 
religion, with the earnest hope that this friendly union 
wnll never be broken. 

Beneath was the name, — 

"Arthur Penrhyn Stanley, Dean of Westminster." 
On the South side the inscription reads as follows : — 
"Sunt Lacryraae rerum et mentem mortalia tangunt." 

—Virgil, ^neid I, 462. 
The only other inscription is upon tlie Xorth side, and 
is this : — 

' ' He was more unfortunate than criminal ; 
An accomplished man, and a gallant officer.'' 

— George Washino-ton. 
An inscription will be placed on the East side next 
year, the centennial of the execution. 

This Andre shaft stands on a high elevation, about two 
and a half miles from the Hudson, and not more than 
thirty yards from the New Jersey line, overlooking a 
beautiful country. Mr. Field has bought thirteen acres 



145 

of land in the immediate vicinity, running to, but not 
crossing, the New Jersey line. He purposes to convert 
this property into a park, with two entrances, and car- 
riage-ways leading to a circular drive around the shaft, 
which will be surrounded by an iron railing. It is stated 
that when completed he will present the property to the 
citizens of Tappan. Four trees, two English and two 
American, either oak or elm, will be planted at the cardi- 
nal points around the monument. 

Some doubts have been raised as to the exact spot 
where Andre was buried, but Mr. Field entertains no 
doubt that he has selected the right place. David D. 
Brower, John H. Out water, and John J. Griffith, old 
residents of Tappan, agree that the spot now marked by 
the shaft is the exact spot where they saw Andre's remains 
exhumed in 1821, when the British Government sent the 
Duke of York to America to convey them to their resting 
place in Westminster Abbey. 

The members of the party from New York were the 
guests of Mr. Whittemore, and in his company visited the 
old mansion used by Washington as his headquarters, in 
the parlor of which he signed Andre's death warrant, the 
Maby Tavern or " '76 Stone House," in which Andre was 
confined during his trial and from which he walked to his 
execution, the site of the church in which Andre was tried, 
and the camping ground of the hostile armies. 



19 



14G 



CAPT. NATHAN HALE. 



It is said that j\Ir. Field intends to erect a shaft to the 
memory of Capt. Nathan Hale of the Continental army, 
on the spot where he was executed as a spy by the British 
in 1776. That place is said to be on the public grounds 
near Hamilton Park, in the city of New York. The 
execution of Capt. Hale was four years previous to that 
of ]\[aj. Andre, and the circumstances attending it are in 
strong contrast with each other ; although between the 
two men there seems to have been a striking resemblance. 
Both died in the full vigor of early manhood : Hale was 
aged 21, and Andre 29 years. 

Hale was born in Coventry, Ct., on the (kh of June, 
1755, and graduated at Yale College with distinction in 
September, 1773 ; and like Andre had wooed and won a 
fair lady at the early age of eighteen. And in person 
there was a strong resemblance, while in mind, manners 
and acquirements, they were on a par with each other. 
After Hale left college, he became a school teacher, and 
was universally beloved and i)Opular, botli with parents 
and pupils. A lady of his acquaintance said: "Every- 
body loved him, he was so sprightly, intelligent and kind, 
and so handsome." 

He was teaching school at New London, Ct., wlien an 
express arrived bringing tidings of the battles of Lexing- 
ton and Concord. ^V town meeting was held, and young 
Hale was one of the most ardent speakers. He urged an 
instant march to the scene of hostilities, and offered to 
enlist himself. He writes to his father: "A sense of 



147 

duty urges me to sacrifice everything for my country." 
He went at once, and served as lieutenant in the army 
before Boston ; and prevailed on his men to extend their 
enlistment, by giving them his own pay. For his good 
conduct, he received from Congress a commission as 
Captain. 

He was attached to Col. Knowlton's regiment ; and 
after the disastrous battle of Long Island, Gen. Washing- 
ton applied to that officer for a competent person to pene- 
trate the enemy's camp, and learn the condition of the 
British army. The patriotic Hale promptly volunteered 
to perform that perilous task, though fully aware of the 
consequences if captured. 

In the character of a school-master, he crossed the 
Sound from Norwalk to Huntington, on Long Island ; 
visited the British encampments unsuspected, made draw- 
ings of their works, and took notes in Latin. This com- 
pleted, he turned his steps to Huntington, where a boat 
from the American shore was to meet him and convey him 
back to Connecticut. Unfortunately, a British guard ship 
was anchored round a point out of sight, and liad sent a 
boat ashore for water. It being the time and place of the 
expected boat, young Hale stepped aboard of the British 
boat, and found himself a prisoner. He was searched, 
and his papers Avere found in the soles of his shoes, which 
clearly proved him to be a spy. He was taken to the 
headquarters of General Howe, in New York city, and, 
after a brief parley with a court martial, was ordered for 
execution the next morning at daybreak ! He asked for a 
Bible, but the infamous Cunningham refused the request, 
and seized and destroyed a letter he had written to his 
mother; and said, "The rebels shall never know they 
have a man who can die with such firmness." But his 
patriotic spirit shone forth in his dying words — ' ' I only 
regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." 



148 

Now, here arc two men, guilty of tlie same offence ac- 
cording to martial law, and both suffered the same pen- 
alty ; but how unlike the circumstances attending their 
execution ! INIaj. Andre was granted all the })rivileges 
compatible with his situation, and died lamented by both 
armies ; Capt. Hale was executed in hot haste, denied all 
grantable privileges ; cursed while living, and execrated 
when dead ! If British officers could take any pleasure 
in such enormities, no decent man will envy them their 
feelings. 

In the present state of society, wars, more or less, will 
exist, and efficient, but merciful, generals or command- 
ing officers will be needed ; but we may be thankful that 
some improvement has been made, both in the criminal 
code and martial law. The ancients crucified criminals, 
and enslaved, or tortured and put to death prisoners taken 
in war. Now, criminals are executed without needless 
pain ; and prisoners taken in war are exchanged, or set at 
liberty on parole, and permitted to return to their own 
homes again. To prevent wars, strong but just govern- 
ments are needed. Well it may be asked, why are there 
no Indian wars in Canada? Simply this, — the strong 
government there renders it impossible for lawless back- 
woodsmen to exist. The Indians have rights there which 
white men are bound to respect. If such power were ex- 
erted on this side of the line, there would be no more In- 
dian wars in the United States. 

It may sometimes be needful to spy out an enemy's 
camp, but a commander does not seem justified in induc- 
ing any one to enter upon such a perilous undertaking. 
Better employ balloons, as was done in the last German 
and French war. But war is a savage operation at best ; 
and as brute force is not argument, and settles nothing, it 
is time that Avars should cease, by the universal consent of 

all mankind. 

FINIS. 



1 



1 



